Christmas Devotion Day 25 - He is Coming Again!

  

Jesus said: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6

Today, around the world, Christians celebrate Jesus’ first coming to earth as a time of hope and joy and peace. Our world today does not contain much hope, joy or peace. Hope is gone, joy is fleeting, and peace cannot be sustained. 

But Christmas did not end in a manger, it did not end on the cross, and it did not end at the door of the empty tomb. Christmas will be completed the day Jesus returns to this earth to fulfill all the rest of the prophecies of the Bible. 

God’s plan was never to just send the Messiah (Savior) as a baby. His plan was not even to just have the Savior die and rise again. His plan included all those things – but the final victory is to provide a complete eternal life for each one who responds to God’s love-gift, believing and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

The day is coming when the just and righteous judgment of all sin will be completed, and then all effects and consequences of all believers’ sin will be finally and forever buried in the “blood of the Lamb of God.”

Jesus said He came to display Truth to us (John 18:37). He tells us that Truth sets us free (John 8:31-38). He says Truth purifies us (1 Peter 1:22). He gives us Truth as part of our armor against evil (Ephesians 6:14). He says Truth should be the way we live our lives here on this earth (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Prayer: 

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to this earth to save us from our sins, to show us God and to reconcile us to the Father. May we anticipate Your return with hope and joy! You are our blessed Lord, Redeemer and Friend. We love you with all of our hearts. Come Lord Jesus! In Your name we pray, Amen.  

Christmas Devotion Day 24 - Grace and Truth

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

– John 1:14

The Creator of the universe entered history as a man. God’s Word had created all that exists – God spoke, and everything came into being (Genesis 1) – and now that Word took on human flesh. He did not come as a full-grown man to command everyone to obey Him or to destroy all those who would not. He came as a little baby, helpless and weak, as every other human baby has been.

And He came to us! We tried countless times to make it to God but we never would be able to. Instead, He left everything to search us out...to come to mere human beings to show us, firsthand, His love.

Jesus left Heaven, where He had been an intimate part of God for all eternity. Think of your own words – you defend them, you treasure them when you write them down, they are important to you because they express to others who you are. In the same way, God’s Word was a treasured part of Himself – but He sent His Word to express and explain to people of earth who He is and how much He loves and cares for us. 

Our words can never become alive, but God’s Word is living and active and powerful (Hebrews 4:12) and His name is Jesus. He chose to be limited to time and space for a while, just as we are limited. And being limited to time and space meant He would also be able to die. From the moment He was born, the shadow of the cross would be part of His earthly life.

He is full of grace and truth. What an incredible and desirable balance in a leader and one that seems impossible to obtain. People tend to fall hard on the side of truth, often seeming judgmental and uncaring or they fall hard on the side of grace, often seeming not to stand for anything and falling for everything. 

Not so with Jesus. He always modeled what was right and true. He never condoned sin and would point it out each time, encouraging the sinner to "go and sin no more." Yet, He did it with such love and mercy that sinners wanted to be around Him. They felt loved and accepted in His presence. 

This same Jesus is alive in Heaven today and His Spirit dwells in all those who believe in Him. He has set a model for us to follow as His Church strives to be both grace and truth to a hurting world. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, how can we ever thank you for coming to earth and showing us God. You are Lord, Savior, Friend, Brother and King! We love you! In Your name we pray, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 23 - Savior

 

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.
-- Matthew 1:20-21

They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.

-- John 4:42

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

to the glory of God the Father. -- Philippians 2:9-11

Just as Yahweh is God's personal name revealed in the Old Testament, Jesus is the personal name of the One we call Redeemer, Lord, and Christ. His name is intimately linked to the God of the Hebrew Scriptures because it means "Yahweh is salvation." Indeed, Jesus is Yahweh come to earth. He is God bending toward us, God becoming one of us, God reaching out in mercy, God humbling Himself, God nailed to a cross, God rising up from the grave to show us the way home. 

There's power in the name of Jesus, but it's not some kind of magical chant. Saying His name is not like rubbing a lamp to conjure a genie. No, the power of the name of Jesus is released when people earnestly cry out to Him and when they live in obedience to Him. 

There are many stories that reflect this truth. One was told by a woman at Ann Spangler's church. While walking to her car in a deserted garage one night, a thug accosted her, knife in hand. Though she was terrified, this woman managed to command the man who wanted to hurt her: "Get away from me in the name of Jesus!" To her astonishment, though they were alone in the garage, the man backed up as though someone had just threatened him with a knife. Then he turned and fled. 

Then there's the story of E.P. Scott, a missionary to India. One day Scott decided to visit a mountain tribe who had never heard of Jesus. But as he approached the mountain, a band of angry tribesman surrounded him with spears pointing straight at his chest. On impulse, the missionary took out the violin he was carrying, closed his eyes, and began playing and singing a hymn in their native language. When Scott finally found the courage to open his eyes, he was amazed to see that his attackers had dropped their spears and that several of them had tears in their eyes. Scott spent the rest of his life preaching and serving the people of that tribe, many of whom became believers. What was the hymn he sang? "All Praise the Power of Jesus Name!"

Discuss: What comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus? 

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, thank you for being my Savior.  Thank you for all the sacrifices that you made in Your earthly life.  Thank you especially for Your sacrifice on the cross that I might find salvation and spend eternity in Heaven with You. In Your precious and beautiful name I pray,  Amen.

Christmas Devotion Day 22 - Glory and Peace

 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.” – Luke 2:14

As I read these words, words that angels from Heaven spoke to human beings on earth, I am struck with this thought...Who am I? Who am I to attempt to explain what angels meant? Who am I to add my own commentary to the words of God? I am a mere human being, sinful by nature, equipped with an average mind, trying to comprehend the things of God. So it is with much prayer and humility that I try.

Glory to God in the highest...amazing, stupendous wonder...thankful, honor-filled praise...from the lips of angels who had seen God and knew Him in a way no one on earth ever had. And their words of praise were not just for the shepherds, not just for this earth but to the highest heaven, throughout the universe which He made. All creation, everywhere, was to hear of this glory that was given to God, the Creator.

And on earth, peace, good will to men...peace. It's what the world longs for. It's what each of us, each day, look to find at home, at our jobs, in our thoughts, our heart. Peace with our family members, peace with our friends, peace with our colleagues and ultimately, peace within ourselves.

But that total peace could not be found. It had been destroyed with the fatal choice Adam and Eve made in the Garden. To desire to know evil, to want to be gods unto themselves, to break the intimate relationship they had with their Creator. And ever since then, every person born was born into a broken relationship with the Lord. There was no ultimate peace in their hearts because there was no ultimate peace with the One who made them.

God made each of us to be in a loving, peaceful relationship with Him. But that had been destroyed. Only God Himself could restore that relationship, bring reconciliation, bring ultimate peace. And this is what Jesus did. By His birth, life, death and resurrection He brought peace to each of us if we will accept it.

This is what the angels spoke of...peace on earth, peace in each heart that put Jesus on the throne. And this peace was God's "good will" for each man. It is God's will, His desire, that we live at peace with Him. Just as each of us want peace with those we love, God wants peace with each of us because He loves us.

The words of the angels sum up Jesus' mission on earth...to bring glory to God and peace to us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all our love, all our worship, all our thanks and all our praise. You brought glory to God and peace to us. Thank you! We love you! In Your name we pray, Amen. 

Candy Cane Story

 

                 The Story of The Candy Cane

According to the story of the candy cane, this candy was first created back in the 18th century. At that time, in certain areas of Europe, there was said to be a ban on public displays of Christianity. Christians were oppressed and no Bibles or crosses could be owned at the time. One man found this oppression distressing and wished he could share the love of Jesus and the joy of Christmas with the rest of the world. When Christmas came around, children didn’t get to see nativity scenes or enjoy learning about the truth of Christmas. As a candy maker, this man prayed to find a way that he could offer local children a Christmas gift that would allow him to communicate the real story of Christmas.

His prayer led to an idea--The Candy Cane.

The Shepherd's Staff: He chose to make the candy cane in the shape of a shepherd’s staff. After all, Jesus is the shepherd to his followers and the Bible notes that the “sheep” would hear His voice and follow him  "He leads His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11 (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11, John 10:27-30).

The Letter J for Jesus:Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a “J,” which stood for Jesus. "She will give birth to a son and you are to give Him the name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 (Luke 1:31).

He is A Rock: The candy maker chose hard candy for the candy cane, which was done to remind children that Jesus was our “rock,” dependable and strong. "Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me." Psalm 31:3.

By His Stripes: Wide red stripes were added to the candy cane, representative of the crucifixion and the blood Jesus shed for our sins. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Red-His Shed Blood: Through his blood, we are given salvation and life. "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood" Revelation 1:5 (John 3:16, Luke 22:20).

White-Purification from Sin: There are also white stripes on the candy cane, which represents the holiness, and purity of Jesus, who was sinless and the purity He will give us when we ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."  1 John 1:7.

Sweet Fragrance of Christ: Peppermint was the flavor that the candy maker chose for the candy cane. Peppermint was very similar to hyssop, which was used for sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament, reminding us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. "Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7.

Love of Christ: The candy cane was also made to be given as a gift, representing the love of Jesus when he gave us the gift of salvation.

* Story found at https://www.thebettermom.com/blog/2013/12/13/teach-about-jesus-with-the-legend-of-the-candy-cane

Christmas Devotion Day 21 - Do Not Fear

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” – Luke 1:30-31

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good tidings of great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.'" - Luke 2:10-11

"Fear. One of the enemy’s most popular weapons that he uses against us. Worry, anxiety, fear…can overwhelm us with a thick shadow of darkness, controlling our every move and decision.
So much crazy going on around us today - wars, conflicts, persecution, violence, crime, natural disasters, terrorism, economic uncertainty, unemployment, divisions, disease, death. We fear for our children’s future, we fear for our families, we fear for our financial future, we fear for our safety. The list goes on…long." Debbie McDaniel

So how do we combat this fear? By turning to God's Word. Just as the angels said to Mary and the shepherds...do not fear, God tells us in His Word, "Do Not Fear". By focusing on these words of life, of truth, we can change our mindset. Soaking them in, over and over, and praying them out loud, will slowly begin to replace the familiar thoughts of fear and anxiety. There’s nothing magical about words and verses, but there is power through them, because they’re God’s words. 

"His words are “life” words, soothing to our soul, calming to our spirits, giving power to our days.  

It’s not always easy, and it often comes down to a choice: 

Choosing not to allow fear and anxiety to control your life. 

Choosing to guard your heart. 

Choosing to focus your mind on what is truth in the midst of uncertain times.

We might still feel afraid, but we can believe that God is with us. We may not be in control, but we can trust the One who is. We may not know the future, but we can know the God who does." Debbie McDaniel 

Prayer:

Dearest Heavenly Father, You tell us not to fear over and over again in Your Word and in our hearts through Your Holy Spirit. Please help us to trust You and not be afraid. You are in control. You love us more than we can imagine. You will give us strength for each day. We love You our dearest Lord, Savior and Friend. In His name we pray, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 20 - The Ultimate Rescue Mission

 

When God created this world, created us, everything was good. Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God. The Bible tells us that God actually met them and communicated with them each and every day in the Garden of Eden. There was no separation, no guilt, no shame. But then...they wanted more. They wanted to be like God. They wanted the one thing God said they could not have. They believed that God was holding back on them...not giving them His best. They listened to the lies of Satan rather that the truth of God. And they sinned and thus ended that perfect relationship.

But what was the first thing God did after that sin? As Adam and Eve were hiding from God, fully aware of their sinfulness, ashamed of their nakedness...God called out to them. He didn't turn His back on them...give them the silent treatment. Instead He went looking for them, seeking after them...because He still loved them.

And for the next few thousand years God continued to seek after them through the prophets, through miracles like the Exodus from Egypt, through judgments and restorations. Yet, that wasn't enough. From the very beginning God knew that He would have to go on a personal rescue mission to save the people He created, the people He loved. To save them from their sins and the rightful judgment that those sins deserved...eternal separation from Him in Hell.

That rescue mission started with a baby in a manger. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21

You see, man has tried time and time again, through every other religion in the world, to save himself. Enough good deeds, enough sacrifices, enough acts in the name of God. But nothing, nothing that man does can buy salvation for him. Why?  Because all of our good deeds can never outweigh the sin nature that we are born with.

Only One who knew no sin, who was perfect in every way, could step in for us. Jesus actually became sin on that cross. He took on all the punishment that the Lord could give for every one of our sins. And He did it willingly. He did it in love. And He did it for all time. Jesus is our rescuer!

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

Prayer: Lord Jesus...thank you. Thank you for rescuing me from this body of sin. Thank you for calling me to Yourself. Thank you for giving Yourself for me. I love you! Help me to live my life, each day, reflecting who You are to the world around me, while there is still time. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 19 - When Reputation Dies

 

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this: an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” ...When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.   Matthew 1:18-20, 24

Joseph had a decision to make. Would he believe the angel, obey God and destroy his reputation or would he take the easier road...divorce Mary quietly, give in to his human nature and put the problem behind him? The angel tells him not to be afraid but he is! He knows that few if any of his friends will believe this story. Would Mary's own family even believe her? 

He knows that if he follows through, most everyone will believe that his wife was unfaithful and that this baby was not really his son. Does he want to deal with this sort of shame, this sort of reputation, probably for the rest of his life? 

"Sometimes the implication of listening to the voice of God is that we ruin our reputation in the public square. Loving God involves surrendering ourselves to God in heart, soul, mind, strength - and reputation. The minute we turn exclusively to the Lord to find our true identity is the day reputation dies.

Joseph turns to God. Joseph learns that who he is before God (his identity) is more important that who he is in the circle of his pious friends (his reputation)." Scot McKnight

Most of us, as we follow Jesus, will come to this crossroads at least once in our life. Do we obey God even though the road ahead is uncertain, our reputation is on the line and people may not understand us or think poorly of us, or do we play it safe, go along with the crowd, ignore the voice of God in our heart? 

We most likely will not be visited by an angel, as Joseph was, to encourage our obedience. But...we do have something he didn't have. We have the Holy Spirit living in our heart. He will strengthen us to choose obedience if we will ask. And when all is said and done, isn't God's opinion of us more important than man's?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Please help me to listen to the Spirit's voice and obey You no matter the consequences. Give me courage I pray. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 18 - Wise Men Seek Him

Read Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:2 - Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.

How did the Wise Men know what to look for in the stars, and how did they know to come to Israel? Though we are not told this in the Bible, we do know Daniel was leader of the wise men and astronomers for most of his life in Babylon. We read about this in Lesson 6. It is now more than 400 years later, and the men who had heard these things from Daniel have long since died. But they passed the information on to those who came after them.

Psalm 19 says the heavens declare the glory of God. The writer, David, had spent many nights under the stars as he kept his father’s sheep. And from this Psalm it is clear he too knew the stories in the stars. This was before writing was widespread, so the common people used other things instead of written words to remember the Bible they had learned. Jewish history today tells us the constellations of stars were stories of each of the Tribes of Israel and the blessings Jacob had given each. So the remembering of the prophecy of the star rising in the house of Judah would have been something the people of Israel would have been able to watch in their night skies.

But the leaders of Israel had not been paying attention to the skies; they were caught by surprise when the wise men came to ask where their King was to be born.

*Are you reading the Bible with the thought of watching for God’s prophesies to be fulfilled?

Prayer: Thank You Heavenly Father for writing Your story in the skies. We look at the stars and know You are real. Help us to be focused on Your Word as we wait for Your return. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

A Silent Christmas Night in World War 1

  

Silent Night

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Luke 2:16

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht! 
Alles schläft; einsam wacht 
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar. 
Holder Knab' im lockigen Haar, 
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! 
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! 

It was Christmas Eve, 1914, during the early months of World War I. When the Germans had left their country earlier in the year, they expected to be home by Christmas to celebrate their victory. The young men, however, were not home by Christmas and the war dragged on for four more years—and Europe, and the world, would never be the same again.

By December of 1914, trench warfare along the 200 mile front was proving to be a difficult and deadly form of battle. The trenches were filled with mud, vermin and death. Christmas of 1914 was particularly cold, freezing the slush and water of the trenches in which the men hunkered down.

But, on December 24, along the trenches of the western front, British and Scottish soldiers heard a startling sound—the sound of singing. And it was a song they instantly recognized, even if they did not understand the words. The song was Silent Night, or as the Germans sang it, Stille nacht, heilige nacht.

Shocked by this strange yet welcome sound, one by one, the English began singing "back" to the Germans their version of this beautiful melody. Soon, voices on both sides filled the air with the strains of Silent Night.

As they looked across to the enemy trenches, the Allies began to spot candles raised on poles or bayonets. And even more incredibly, the English officers reported that some enemy troops were holding Christmas trees over their heads. Soldiers from both sides, who had just hours before had been killing one another, tentatively began to emerge from their trenches and to venture into the dreaded "no man’s land" bringing good cheer and gifts from their kits—and to bury their dead.

Against all odds, a spontaneous, one day truce had begun; a truce that ignored all the rules of military conduct! 

As you sing Silent Night this year, think back to that terrible time at the beginning of the last century. Both sides had sung of Christ for hundreds of years, but still embarked on a war that would take the best and brightest of an entire generation. But yet, against all odds, God’s peace prevailed for a brief season.

I urge you to let God’s peace help you right now. Ask the Savior, the Babe of Bethlehem to work a miracle—to change your attitude or your circumstances. He will do it if, in faith, you ask Him. Jesus Christ came to bring peace—peace that displaces worry and fear. Peace with God. It’s the key to a truly happy life. And then, don’t forget to thank Him! 

Here is Silent Night with lyrics sung by Casting Crowns  https://youtu.be/Sb7M81xHK0k

Christmas Devotion Day 17 - Born of a Virgin

Read Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Why was it important that the Messiah, Jesus, was to be born of a virgin? We must understand two very important things.

First, the Messiah, being God, must become human. This was for two important reasons: God as an eternal Spirit could not die. So for Him to be able to die for us He must become human. Also, God as Spirit could not be seen or heard or touched by humans; He needed to become like us so we could understand Him. Therefore, being born of a human woman was the way for Him to become a human being who could be touched and heard and seen, and could die.

Second, it was important He be born of a virgin because of God’s condemnation of sin for Adam and Eve. He had told them sin would result in death. Even though they did not immediately die physically when they sinned, they died spiritually. This spiritual death was passed on to every child through the seed of the man, and without a man’s seed no woman could bear a child. That is, no woman could bear a child without God’s direct miracle. His prophecy, as we saw in our first lesson, was that the Messiah would be born of the woman, a virgin.

*What does Jesus’ virgin birth tell you about God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that You would put on human flesh and come to our sinful world to be born, grow up as we do, share the truth of Your love and devotion to us, die for our sins and then conquer death on our behalf. Thank you Jesus! We love you! In Your name we pray, Amen. 

Marked with a Cross

Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side. “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.” And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone!…. Ezekiel 9:3-5

This occurred in the vision given to Ezekiel, by God, after God had shown him the incredible extent of idol worship in the temple of Jerusalem and in the surrounding area...along with the total depravity of their society. God's glory would now leave the temple and utter destruction would fall on Jerusalem/Israel. This happened in history through the Babylonian invasion. 

But before God's judgement would fall, He had one of His angels/cherubim go throughout the city of Jerusalem and mark the foreheads of all those who were greatly disturbed and saddened by the abominations and evil in their land...those who were saddened by the lack of love, worship, obedience and respect for Almighty God. 

The word "mark" is the Hebrew word "tav." (mark - as a sign of exemption from judgment). And from the Hebrew-Chaldee (Babylonian) Lexicon - "a sign in the form of a CROSS branded on the thigh or neck of horses and camels...which in Phoenician, and on the coins of the Maccabees has the form of a CROSS." Lexicon

Wow! So in Ezekiel's vision, he saw an angel dressed in linen, go throughout the city of Jerusalem and mark the foreheads of those who were grieved over the great sins of that city, with a CROSS! This mark of the CROSS on their foreheads, by an angel, would save them from the coming destruction! 

I sit in absolute AWE of God's Word! Once again, it points to JESUS. 

Christmas Devotion Day 16 - John the Baptist

 Read John 1:19-34

John 1:22-23 - So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.’

The son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth was named John, and was called John the Baptist after he began his God-given ministry. In the society of that day, John the Baptist would have had a greater standing than Jesus, because John was in the High Priestly family; many of these people became the religious rulers of the day. Since there were now hundreds or perhaps even thousands in this direct line from Aaron, however, the choice of who would be the next High Priest was a political decision. So John, when he was old enough to care for himself, went to live in the wilderness. This was often the choice of someone who wanted to spend extraordinary time alone with God (like Paul in Galatians 1:17). 

John turned his back on everything he could have had – power and wealth and influence. He lived off the land, eating locusts and honey, until he was about thirty years old. Then, at the time set for a priest to be old enough to begin serving (Numbers 4:3), he began to preach beside the Jordan River.

Because it had been over four hundred years since the last prophet had been sent to Israel by God (see lesson 12), many people came from all over the country to hear him. He told them he was the fulfillment of God’s prophecy in Malachi 3:1, the one to prepare the way for the Messiah.

*How much do you believe God’s prophecies?

Prayer: Thank you Lord for sending people into my life, my parents, my grandma, Sunday school teachers and others who helped prepare the way for You to enter my life. I love you Jesus. Use me to prepare the way for others to come to know you as their Savior. In Your name I pray, Amen. 

What is God's Wrath?

God’s wrath is His righteous response to the wickedness of sin and all who defy Him. His wrath is not an emotional response like human anger. God does not seek “payback” or “to get even.” Instead, God’s wrath is His settled, holy and measured reaction to the evil that destroys the beauty and wholeness He created. Because God is holy, He cannot compromise with sin and look the other way. God’s overwhelming passion for purity and all that is just and good moves Him to action. God exercises His wrath as a judicial act against rebellion and those who sin against Him (Exodus 15:7; Luke 21:22-24; Romans 1:18-20; 2:5-6; Revelation 6:16).

All people are born with a sin nature, and God’s wrath “rests” on every person from birth. Because of our sin nature, God’s wrath is the biggest problem people face, though most do not realize this. Only those who believe in Jesus Christ escape God’s wrath (John 3:36; Romans 5:9; 8:1; Ephesians 2:3-5). Believers deserve God’s wrath just like unbelievers but are rescued from wrath only because Jesus took the wrath that believers deserve.

Some dismiss God’s wrath as a “hellfire and brimstone” message intended to scare people into loving God. Most people reject or ignore the reality of God’s wrath and judgment. The thought that

God would stand against people He created offends many. When Abraham heard of the grievous evil in Sodom, he struggled with God’s plan to destroy the city. When we fail to believe in God’s wrath, this wrong thinking leads to a casual approach to God and sin. 

In our culture today, many people will not call anything wrong, much less sinful. Public opinion scoffs at the idea that God even cares about what people do. People reject the gospel because they fail to believe that personal sinfulness deserves God’s holy judgment. This is a serious, fatal and eternal error.

The reality of God’s wrath may not be pleasant, but awakens us to the seriousness of rejecting God’s offer of grace and rescue through Jesus Christ. Discomfort with this truth does not make it less true. Does the reality of God’s wrath motivate you to pray for unbelievers and to share the gospel?

Understanding God’s wrath helps you recognize the seriousness of sin and its offense to Holy God. Believing we deserve God’s wrath elevates the wonder of salvation in Christ. The depth of this truth should be intensely personal. How incredible that God would love, seek and save ME, a rebel! 

Habakkuk prayed, “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath, remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:1-2). If I am in Christ, though I deserve wrath, I receive mercy. What a wonderful, merciful Savior!  (BSF International)

Christmas Devotion Day 15 - Mary Visits Elizabeth

 

Read Luke 1:39-45

Luke 1:46-47 - And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Mary went to visit Elizabeth and Zechariah. Elizabeth and Mary were related, so Mary most likely knew of the miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy in her old age, and she wanted to share her own miracle with someone she knew would understand. When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s home, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb "leaped" as he recognized the Child in Mary’s womb.

There are many people in our world today who believe babies in the womb are not human and cannot feel anything. From our verses today, as well as others in the Bible, we see that even these tiny babies can respond to God. 

Mary’s song in answer to Elizabeth’s blessing is also proof the women of this time memorized Scripture just as the young men did. Much of her song comes from the song Hannah sang when she praised God for giving her a miracle son, Samuel – you can read it in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.

As we learned in our last lesson, Mary knew she would face some very difficult problems because she was pregnant before her marriage. The Law even said Joseph, as the husband, had the right to have her executed. But she chose to obey God and let Him work out the problems.

*When God asks you to do something for Him, and then problems come up, how do you react?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an incredible gift You are! Help me to recognize and fight for even the tiniest baby that You have created. Help me also to trust in You and walk in obedience, even when the road is unclear or filled with obstacles. I love you Jesus! In Your name I pray, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 14 - Gabriel Visits Mary

 

Read Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:38 - And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.

Mary was probably about a teenager when she received a visit from the Angel Gabriel. This was about six months after Gabriel had visited Zechariah, as we read in our last lesson.

Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. Both she and Joseph came from the royal family of David, so the marriage may have been arranged for them many years before. However, both had to give their assent to the marriage before the engagement contract could be legal. Normally, there would be a year between the engagement and the marriage itself, but the engagement was so binding that a divorce was required to break it, and usually the only reason for such a divorce would be evidence of impurity, such as a child being born.

Mary knew all these things, and yet, when Gabriel told her God’s plan for her to have a baby before the wedding, it was her decision if she wanted to face all the awful things people would think and say about her. Please note she also asked Gabriel how this could be, just as Zechariah had asked. But her question was from innocence rather than doubt – God knew what was in her heart. Gabriel’s answer that this child would be from God was met with Mary’s faith. Her answer, in the verse above, came from trusting God.

*When God asks something of you that might mean you lose favor with others around you, what is your answer?

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for answering the questions of a young woman with gentleness and understanding. Please help me to answer the questions of others in the same way. And help me, O Lord to show the willingness of Mary to do everything You ask of me...May Your Word be fulfilled in me. In Jesus' name, Amen

The Eyes of a Woman

 

Their eyes...their eyes can speak volumes...of the hope that is in each female for someone to love her, protect her, tell her she is important. They plead for justice, equality and liberation. They show strength of character, determination and love for her family. They can also convey loss, fear, hopelessness and despair.

Jesus saw this in the eyes of the widow whose son had just died (Luke 11:1), the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), the woman caught in adultery (John 8) and so many others throughout His time on earth. Their eyes spoke volumes about their suffering. And His heart was moved with tenderness and compassion for them. He reached out to not only heal and free them but to touch them and call them "daughter" (Matthew 9:22). 

He broke all societal norms in His inclusion and outreach toward women. He elevated the status of women more than any other human ever has. It is a testament to the power of the Gospel that where true, heartfelt Christianity spreads, women and girls benefit.
One such example can be seen in the life of William Carey, missionary to India. 

"William Carey," argues an (Indian) female social science scholar, "was the first man to stand against both the ruthless murders and widespread oppression of women, virtually synonymous with Hinduism in the 18th and 19th centuries. The male in India was crushing the female through polygamy, female infanticide, child marriage, widow-burning, euthanasia and forced female illiteracy, all sanctioned by religion. The British Government timidly accepted these social evils as being an irreversible and an intrinsic part of India's religious mores. 

Carey began to conduct systematic sociological and scriptural research. He published his reports in order to raise public opinion and protest both in Bengal and England. He influenced a whole generation of civil servants, his students at Fort William College, to resist these evils. 

Carey opened schools for girls. When widows converted to Christianity, he arranged marriages for them rather than allowing them to be burned alive. It was Carey's persistent 25 year battle against sati that finally led to Lord Bentinck's famous Edict in 1829, banning one of the most abominable of all religious practices in the world: "widow-burning." (Vishal and Ruth Mangalwadi).

Today, the eyes that haunt me most are those of Muslim women and girls. Their fate is similar, in many ways, to the Indian women of Carey's time. Polygamy, female infanticide, child marriage, honor killings and forced female illiteracy, all sanctioned by religion. Yet the American government, in many ways, seems to mirror the British government by timidly accepting these social evils as being an irreversible and an intrinsic part of Muslim religious mores. 

Why? Political correctness, fear of being named racist or intolerant of Islam? 

Whatever the reason, as in the time of William Carey, it is not going to be the government of America, or any other nation, that speaks up for the Muslim women. It MUST be the Church. 

We must allow God to break our hearts for these women and girls. We must pray for them...especially that they would find Isa (Jesus), the One who loves them and can provide them with hope they have never known. We must reach out to Muslim women in our area...ask God to show you one or two and then pray for them and become their friends.

Their eyes...they can speak of pain that an American woman can not even fathom, but they can also speak of peace and joy that only Jesus, the lover of their souls, can give them. 

Christmas Devotion Day 13 - Zechariah and Elizabeth

 

Read Luke 1:1-24

"Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John...And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:13,17

It had been nearly four hundred years since God had given a prophecy to the people of Israel (last lesson). He had been silent so long the people wondered if He had forsaken them. But then He sent His angel to a priest serving in the temple. This priest was an old man, and his wife was also too old to have children. Yet God told Zechariah he was about to have a son born.

Zechariah doubted God, which was surprising because he had been trained in God’s ways from a young child, trained to be a priest. He knew how God had given a child to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Because of Zechariah’s doubt, God made it impossible for him to speak, and said he would regain the ability to talk when his son was born.

How often do we doubt what God says to us, even though we read it in the Bible? Maybe, like for Zechariah, God’s words just do not make sense because we cannot see how what He says can happen. Maybe we are listening to someone else trying to explain what God REALLY said, but it is not the same as the words in the Bible. For Zechariah, the moment he was unable to speak he knew he had done the wrong thing by not trusting God. But now he would have to wait for the birth of his son before he would be able to speak again.

*When did you doubt what God said to you? What happened?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to not only believe in You but to believe You...to believe what You say to us in Your Word and what You speak to our hearts through Your Holy Spirit. May we believe and not doubt. We love you! In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 12 - God Sends a Forerunner

 

Read Malachi 3-4

Malachi 3:1 - Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the Messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 

The last prophecy for this study, of the Messiah coming, is part of the last prophecy in the Bible before Jesus was born. Much of what you have read in the Scripture for today is about judgment, the judgment on evil the Messiah would bring. 

But just as we read over and over in the Bible, God gives people mercy and grace: another chance to repent and turn from wickedness. This is the purpose of this messenger God will send to prepare the way for the Messiah.

All through their history the people of Israel had been given prophets and leaders to tell them God’s ways and plans. Most of the time, the people had either ignored God’s warnings, or in some cases had even openly told God they did not care or they did not believe His warnings. This was one of the important reasons why God gave them prophecy warnings – telling them ahead of time exactly what would happen so they knew He was telling the truth. God has warned us the same way.

*What prophecy warning are you listening to from God?

Prayer; Thank you, O Lord, for Your mercy and grace to us! Thank you for the messengers you bring to us  who tell us the truth and lead us to You. We love you Jesus! In Your name, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 11 - God Names the Town

 

Read Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 - But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 

One of the most incredible things about God’s prophecies is how He sometimes gives great details of what He will do. There are actually two very specific prophecies about Bethlehem regarding the Messiah. Besides our verse above, see also Jeremiah 31:15 which is a prophecy about the children of Bethlehem being killed – we will study this a bit more in a later lesson.

It did not matter where Mary and Joseph were living when Jesus was conceived (a later study). God had promised Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and God would make that happen without picking Mary and Joseph up and spiriting them to Bethlehem just in time for Jesus to be born. 

Do you believe God knows or controls the smallest details of your life? And if He does, are you still able to make choices for yourself? You cannot choose everything in your life. For example, you could not choose who your parents were or who your siblings are. Yet, these relationships have the largest influence of your life in what choices you can make about who you want to be. God’s plan will work out – your choices determine whether you want Him to work out everything for good for you.

*What bad thing in your life have you seen God turn into good?

Prayer: Thank you for the choices You have made for me. Continue to guide my life O Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 10 - Salvation Through His Death

 

Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Isaiah 53:4-5 - Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 

As we read a few lessons ago, the prophecies for the Messiah were not all about strength and power and victory. Our Scripture reading today could seem like a complete defeat – but it is actually victory God’s way. 

Messiah was coming, but He must first do a very difficult job. He must come to take care of our sin problem. Sin is such a problem because the only penalty for it is death. There is no sentence of prison time or payment or good work anyone can ever do to pay for even one sin. And once we are physically dead, the death sentence cannot be reversed unless our spirits have been made alive before our bodies died.

Jesus came to earth for one purpose – to die. He told Pilate at His trial that His purpose was Truth – and the most basic Truth is that sin causes death and there is only one way to escape death – Jesus.

Our Scripture reading says, in Verse 4, some may see God the Father as the cause of Jesus’ suffering – but the truth is, WE are the cause of Jesus’ suffering. He came to pay the price for us because of His great love for us.

*What makes you certain Jesus has given you eternal life and forgiveness?

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for giving Your life for my sins. I can never repay you. All I can give you is my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. Use me to further Your Kingdom. I love you Jesus! In Your name I pray, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 9 - Fully Human, Fully God

 

Read John 1:1-14

John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.my name. 

One of the most difficult things for some people to believe is that if we say Jesus is God, how could He also be human? Many insist being human would be too humiliating for God. 

But we read in John 1:1-14 how the Word, the Messiah, was truly God and yet “the Word became flesh.” This does not mean God had sex with Mary to have a baby with her – even this thought is offensive. Instead, God simply did a miracle in Mary, giving her a child as no other woman in history has ever had a child. The miracle is the same as when God had shaped a man’s body from dirt, He breathed into the body’s nose and the body became a living man – Adam. God can, and did in Mary’s case, make a woman pregnant without sex. No other woman has had this happen before or after Mary. 

Jesus the Messiah was, and still is, unique. He has always been God and always will be; and at this time in history He took on human flesh so we could see and understand God better.

*What is the greatest miracle God has done in your life?

Prayer: Thank you, O Lord, for faith to believe that Jesus is fully God and yet, fully man. Thank you Jesus that You would willingly put on humanity to show us God and to save us. I love you Jesus! In Your name I pray, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 8 - Messiah as a Servant

 

Day 8: Messiah is coming as a servant

Read Isaiah 42:1-7

Isaiah 42:6-7 - I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 

There are many prophecies about the Messiah being a ruler and a victor. We often look only for the things that help us be successful and happy. But God prophesied the Messiah was coming as a Servant, someone who would do a very special job which could be done by no one else but God Himself.

In other verses of our reading passage, there are descriptions of things Messiah would do or be which would be painful and discouraging. God’s promise, however, was that He would not allow anything to happen to the Messiah that was not completely according to His perfect plan. All He had designed for this time of Messiah being a Servant would turn out for people’s good. When He was tired, He would not complain. When He was hurting, He would not cry out. When He was exhausted, He would not become faint or discouraged.

*How has Jesus helped you complete a task you found difficult or humiliating?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being a servant and for helping me to serve others. Each day, show me who I can serve and ways that I can serve. Thank you for helping me do this Holy Spirit. In Your name, Jesus, I pray, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 7 - The Child is God

 

Read Isaiah 9:1-7

Isaiah 9:6-7 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

In the next few lessons we look at some of the prophecies given by God, and what they tell us about this Child who would be born – the Messiah. Our Scripture reading today tells of a time when people who walk in darkness will see a great light. In 1 John 1:5 we read God is Light, and Jesus said He is the Light of the World – John 8:12.

In the two verses above we find many descriptions of who the Messiah will actually be. Read the comparisons between the description and how they apply to Jesus:

Wonderful Counselor – people marveled at Jesus’ wisdom (Matthew 22:15-22)

Mighty God – Jesus called Himself one with God (John 10:30)

Everlasting Father – God had called Himself Israel’s Father from the beginning (Exodus 4:22)

Prince of Peace – the angels told the shepherds Jesus was bringing peace to men (Luke 2:14)

Messiah would be God Himself.

*How have you experienced Jesus’ peace in your life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that You are my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and my Prince of Peace. May I live each day believing You and trusting You. I love you Lord Jesus. In Your name, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 6 - Daniel in Babylon

 

Read Daniel 2 

Numbers 24:17 - I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. 

When the Jews were conquered by Babylon, about five hundred years before Jesus was born, they were removed from their homes and moved to this unfamiliar land (Assyria and later Babylon) they had never seen. They were removed from the temple which had become the center of their identity.

Of the royal family, one of the young men who was taken was Daniel. While many of the other people just complained about their captivity, Daniel determined not to forsake all he had been taught about God. Against threat of punishment and even death, he stayed true to the Lord. God blessed him by giving him the wisdom to interpret the king’s nightmare-dreams, and the king honored Daniel by giving him an amazing job – Daniel became the leader of all the wise men of this country. And because Babylon was the greatest country in the world at this time, the wise men of other countries also came to Babylon to learn – from Daniel.

Because Daniel had studied the Scriptures, he knew the prophecy God had given in our verse above. To these wise men who studied the stars to understand what was written there, Daniel would have given these words so they could be looking for the King who would be coming.

Prayer: O Lord, in these very uncertain and scary times, while many of the other people just complain, may we, like Daniel, determine not to forsake all we have been taught by You. Against threat of punishment and even death, help us to stay true to You, O Lord. Please bless us by giving us wisdom to interpret the times. Thank you for Jesus! In His name we pray, Amen. 

Christmas Devotion Day 5 - Sin and Curse

 

Read Jeremiah 22:18-30

Jeremiah 22:30 - Thus says the LORD: Write this man (Jeconiah) down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah.

No matter what we do, or how we fail God, His plan will never fail. Satan had, time after time, tried to stop God’s promises from being fulfilled concerning the coming Messiah. All the evil people in Noah’s time could not defeat God’s plan. Now, the terrible, willful sin of one man could not stop it either. But neither could God overlook the sin of this man just to make His promise come true. Jeconiah’s punishment had to stand, and God sealed it as a curse on his father, Jehoiakim: he should be called childless. This means God would not count Jeconiah as being a valid king of the Jews.

Yet, in Matthew 1:11-12, Jeconiah is named in the lineage of Jesus. Did God break His word? Was Jesus’ kingly line more important than cursing this man’s sin? The answer to both questions is no. God always keeps His promises, and sin is always punished – either through Jesus’ death on the cross, or by God’s discipline in our lives. There would always be consequences to Jeconiah’s sin – his blood would not be part of the heritage of the Messiah (he would not be part of Mary's blood line to Jesus), but repentance placed him in Joseph’s bloodline. Through Joseph, Jeconiah could be the adoptive ancestor of Jesus.

Lord God, thank you that no sin, however great, can separate me from the love of Jesus when I put my faith in His atoning work on the cross. Thank you for loving me and thank you for always fulfilling Your promises! In Jesus' name, Amen. 

In a Moment

 

Just a Moment

It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment.

As moments go, that one appeared no different that any other. It came and it went. It was one of the countless moments that have marked time since eternity became measurable.

But in reality, that particular moment was like none other. For through that segment of time a spectacular thing occurred. God became a man. While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.

The Omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierceable. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.

God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb. The creator of life being created.

God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys, and a spleen. He stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of his mother.

God had come near.

He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that first held him were unmanicured, calloused, and dirty.

No silk. No ivory. No hype. No party. No hoopla.

Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts.

Angels watched as Mary changed God’s diaper. The universe watched with wonder as The Almighty learned to walk. Children played in the street with him. And had the synagogue leader in Nazareth known who was listening to his sermons…

Jesus may have had pimples. He may have been tone-deaf. Perhaps a girl down the street had a crush on him or vice versa. It could be that his knees were bony. One thing’s for sure: He was, while completely divine, completely human.

For thirty-three years he would feel everything you and I have ever felt. He felt weak. He grew weary. He was susceptible to wooing women. He got colds, burped, and had body odor. His feelings got hurt. His feet got tired. And his head ached.

To think of Jesus in such a light is—well, it seems almost irreverent, doesn’t it? It’s not something we like to do; it’s uncomfortable. It is much easier to keep the humanity out of the incarnation. There is something about keeping him divine that keeps him distant, packaged, predictable.

But don’t do it. For heaven’s sake, don’t. Let him be as human as he intended to be. Let him into the mire and muck of our world. For only if we let him in can he pull us out.

Listen to him.

“Love your neighbor” was spoken by a man whose neighbors tried to kill him.

The challenge to leave family for the gospel was issued by one who kissed his mother goodbye in the doorway.

“Pray for those who persecute you” came from the lips that would soon be begging God to forgive his murderers.

“I am with you always” are the words of a God who in one instant did the impossible to make it all possible for you and me.

It all happened in a moment. In one moment…a most remarkable moment. The Word became flesh.

There will be another. The world will see another instantaneous transformation. You see, in becoming man, God made it possible for man to see God. When Jesus went home he left the back door open. As a result, “we will all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

The first moment of transformation went unnoticed by the world. But you can bet your sweet September that the second one won’t. The next time you use the phrase “just a moment,” …remember that’s all the time it will take to change this world.

Max Lucado - In the Manger/God Came Near