Thus Far He Has Led Us

Thus far the Lord has helped us — 1 Sam 7:12

The words “thus far” seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet “thus far the Lord has helped us!” Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health; at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea; in honor, in dishonor, in difficulties, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation—“thus far the Lord has helped us!”

We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from one end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves. Even so, look down the long avenue of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there any birds in the branches singing? Surely, there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received “thus far.”

But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain point, and writes “thus far,” he is not yet at the end; there are still distances to be travelled. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death.

Is it over now? No! there is more yet—awakening in Jesus’ likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, "being clothed in white garments" (Rev. 3:5), seeing the face of Jesus, the fellowship of other believers, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, the infinite joy. So, dear believer, "be strong and take heart" (Psalm 27:14), and with thanksgiving and confidence lift your voice in praise, for: 

“The Lord who thus far has helped you, will help you all your journey through" 

When the words "thus far" are read in Heaven’s light, what glorious and miraculous prospects they reveal to our grateful eyes. —C. H. Spurgeon

The Alpine shepherds have a beautiful custom of ending the day by singing to one another an evening farewell. The air is so crystalline that the song will carry long distances. As the dusk begins to fall, they gather their flocks and begin to lead them down the mountain paths, singing, “Thus far the Lord has helped us. Let us praise His name!”

And at last with a sweet courtesy, they sing to one another the friendly farewell: “Goodnight! Goodnight!” The words are taken up by the echoes, and from side to side the song goes reverberating sweetly and softly until the music dies away in the distance.

So let us call out to one another through the darkness, till the gloom becomes vocal with many voices, encouraging God's weary travelers. Let the echoes gather till a very storm of Hallelujahs breaks in thundering waves around the sapphire throne, and then as the morning breaks we shall find ourselves at the shore of the sea of glass (Rev. 4:6), crying, with the redeemed host, “Blessing and honor and glory be unto Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13)

“This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way.”

AND AGAIN THEY SHOUTED: "HALLELUJAH!" (Rev. 19:3) 

Taken from Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman

Living the Christian Life

  

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. -Galatians 2:20

To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.
Gal. 2:20

Many Christians today seem content to live what they think is an adequate Christian life. They believe that if they go to church, read their Bible occasionally, and say their prayers once in a while, they will be all right with God. Occasionally, they may be inspired to go above and beyond their normal routine and volunteer to serve others as an usher, a member of a church committee, or even go on a short-term mission trip. Though they go through the motions of being a “good Christian,” they do not enjoy the power, peace, and joy that should come with the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

Eventually, the counterfeit Christian life they are living becomes a burden and does not comfort them when the storms of adversity assail. This was not what you were created for. God does not call you or any believer to a marginal Christian life characterized by chores and rituals. He desires to have a daily relationship with you where you experience His presence and trust Him for wisdom, courage, and strength in all situations. With every step you take, decision you make, conversation you have, and thought you entertain, the Lord wants to glorify Himself through you. He desires to shine in your life—with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control illuminating your unique talents, traits, and personality as you walk in obedience to Him.

In other words, to live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live in and through you. That is why Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).

How do you allow Jesus to do so? In what way does He live in and through you? If these two questions seem difficult or confusing to you, you aren’t alone. Many people never realize how powerfully Christ could demonstrate His life through them. This is because many believe that the key to living the Christian life starts with pious acts, when it really begins with a deep, intimate relationship with Him.

Therefore, to answer the first question: How do you allow Jesus to do this?—you must realize the answer comes by working on your relationship with Christ. You do this through Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. You not only learn about Him, but you must also listen to Him, because He will teach you how to love Him, live for Him, and walk in His ways.

The answer to the second question: In what way does He live in and through you?—is as unique as each believer who follows Him. This is because He has a special purpose for your life, and the most important thing you can ever do is simply obey Him—no matter what He tells you to do. God will allow situations and troubles in your life that only He can solve. This is so He can demonstrate His glory, power, love, and wisdom through you.

Is there anything distracting you from having an intimate relationship with the Lord? Have you failed to trust God’s sovereignty? Are you worried that you’re not doing enough to deserve a relationship with Him or that you could lose the eternal life He has given you? Then you need to return to the basic truth that your salvation is through faith in Christ and not by works. There is absolutely nothing you can do to earn it or be worthy of it. Therefore, there is nothing you can do or fail to do that would cause you to forfeit it either.

The issue is not your salvation but the impact of your life for Christ and the joy and fulfillment you receive from Him. God does not call you to an adequate life—He wants it to be extraordinary. However, for you to experience the life He planned for you, you must stop being distracted by peripheral issues and focus your attention completely on Him. Can you do it? Can you trust Jesus to live His life through you and take care of all that troubles you?

Of course you can! The God who redeems you can teach you how to live for Him. The Savior you trusted for your eternity is more than capable of taking care of all the matters that burden you daily and shining through you brightly so that others can know Him and be saved. Therefore, die to your notions of what the Christian life should be so you can experience true life in Him.

Many people never realize how powerfully Christ could demonstrate His life through them.He has a special purpose for your life, and the most important thing you can ever do is simply obey Him—no matter what He tells you to do.

-NASB Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible Notes

New Year Prayer

 

When I think about prayer, I am reminded that God is faithful to us through all the seasons of our lives. He isn't a fair-weather God. He is an all-season Father. He is with us when life feels alive and full of color. He loves us when our lives feel drab and gray. He loves when life looms dark and foreboding. Our God is an all-season Father!

The Almighty, the Creator, our Abba Father, has known us, loved us, and been with us every moment from our conception through every up and down of life, and is still with us until now (Psalm 139). As his children by grace through faith, our Father has promised that nothing can separate us from his love for us in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:32-39). He will never leave us or forsake us, no matter how we may feel or what we deserve at any given moment, or what others around us do to us (Hebrews 13:5-6). He doesn't care if we are young or old, tired or energetic, male or female, rich or poor, light or dark-skinned, upper class, or homeless (Galatians 3:26-29).

Our God is the all-season and ever-listening Father. He is waiting for us to call out to him as our Abba Father (Romans 8:15-17). Because we are his children and filled with his Spirit, he listens to the groanings of our emotions too deep for words and hears them with love because of the intercession of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27).

That means our Father in heaven has given us the incredible gift of being able to pray in all seasons of life! Real... heart-level... in the trenches of despair and on the mountain tops of joy kinds of praying. And I hope just thinking about this kind of all-season prayer reality gives you as much breathtaking joy as experience my first real autumn in sixty-five years of living gave me! There is no place or time or situation that God is not available to hear your words and feel your heart's emotions in prayer.

After a year like 2023, and now dedicating ourselves to prayer for this New Year with New Hope, this is good news! The Father wants us to know he is listening, standing on tiptoe to hear from our hearts as we enter into this New Year in the shattered mess of our previous one. We have been given the gift of all-season prayer because we have a loving Father who is the all-season, grace-giving, always-listening God who loves us.

Taken from Pastor Phil Ware of verseoftheday.com

Heal Our Land - Jeremiah 39:1-18

 

Read the Scripture: Jeremiah 39:1-18

In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah's eleventh year, the city wall was broken through. Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and took seats in the Middle Gate... When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled; they left the city at night by way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah.

Jeremiah 39:1-4

In the further historic detail given in the last chapter of Jeremiah, we are told that they burned the temple of God as well. The long-delayed hour of judgment came at last. The city was taken. The temple was burned. As you read this account you can see a certain poetic justice which is always characteristic of the judgments of God. The city that refused God, God refused. He granted them their own desires, in other words. The temple that burned incense to idols was itself burned. The king who would not see had his eyes put out. The people who held their slaves captives were themselves led captive by the Babylonians. This is always the way God works. His judgment is to give you exactly what you are asking for, to let you finally have your way — but to the fullest extent, beyond anything you would desire.

A nation must never forget that, ultimately, the judgment of God will come. "The mills of God grind slow, but they grind exceeding small." Sooner or later judgment will fall. No nation has the right to continue to exist as a nation when it continually violates these requirements of God's justice. Therefore the hand of doom rests upon any nation that deliberately refuses to hear and heed the will of God. Ultimately, judgment will come. No political manipulation will avert it. No partial compromise will delay, no defiance will evade what God has said. It will come at last — some eleventh year, ninth month, and fourth day, when a breach is made in the walls of the city, and judgment and destruction can no longer be averted.

There are several ways by which individuals and nations seek to turn aside the will of God. First, a people can ignore and refuse to listen to God, and give themselves over to things that help them forget — to a life of debauchery and revelry, refusing to hear and heed the Word of God. Second, a people can persecute the prophets of God, and hinder the message of God. There will be the developing of a callous attitude against the preaching of the Word of God. Third, a people can seek to circumvent the catastrophe which is coming by political maneuvering and manipulations. Finally, a people can compromise in outward ways, but fall short of real submission to God. That is when a people become outwardly religious, learning the "God-words" and practice civil religion, but their hearts remain unchanged

There is only one attitude that will avert the coming judgment of God: repentance, deep humiliation before God, an understanding and acknowledgment of guilt, a willingness to recognize that we have lost our right to exist as a nation, and a cry to God that he will heal us and change us and forgive us and heal this land. When that occurs, God himself assumes responsibility to recover the nation. Despite all the damage which has been done, he will restore the years that the locusts have eaten. But if a nation ignores God, it goes down into the dust of history, as hundreds of kingdoms and nations before us have perished.

Prayer: Lord, I ask you to heal us as a nation. Heal our land, and turn us from evil. May we repent before you, in humility, understanding and acknowledgment of our guilt, recognizing that we have lost the right to exist as a nation. We cry out to You to heal us, change us, forgive us. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we ask this O Lord, Amen. 

Life Application: What are four ways individuals and nations seek to avert the will of God? Since each of these is unmistakably present in contemporary culture, what is the urgently needed response for us individually and as members of Christ's body, the Church?

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The Cosmic Battle for Humanity

What happened in Bethlehem (Herod's murder of all baby boys two years old and under - Matthew 2:16), was yet another stage in the conflict God had announced in Genesis 3:15. 

And I will put enmity (warfare)

    between you and the woman,

    and between your offspring and hers;

He will crush your head,

    and you will strike His heel.”

The seed/offspring of the serpent would oppose and eventually seek to crush the seed of the woman. The story that began in Genesis 3:15 was now running on through Matthew 2:1-17 and 16:18 to its climax. John saw this conflict in dramatic and symbolic form in the book of Revelation: 

1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.

The "great red dragon" was "that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world" (v 9). And now, in the real-time version of John's vision, the Child had been born. The coming of the wise men was the first hint that the undeceiving of the nations had begun. And so the evil one let loose his lieutenant, King Herod, against the Child. 

We now live at a different point of John's vision: "The dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus" (v 17). 

Perhaps as you look at the world around you today, it feels as though the dragon must be winning - as Christians around the world suffer attack and harassment, as non-Christians hear the Gospel yet remain blind to the message, and as Satan accuses and tempts you on the battleground of your own heart. Yet however fierce the heat, hold onto our Savior's promise: "I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it" (Matthew 16:18). 

Taken from The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair B. Ferguson

The War Against Christ - Herod's Killing Spree

 "Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old and under, according to the time he had ascertained from the wise men." Matthew 2:16

Couldn't we linger longer on the birth of Jesus, the shepherds and wise men worshipping Him and the angels praising Him with glorious song? Why speak of these ghastly details, Matthew? 

"If we skipped these verses, we would be missing something that Matthew wants to tell us. Embedded in Matthew's Gospel from the very beginning is the message that Jesus the Savior is for all the nations. Matthew begins with the Savior's family tree punctuated by Gentile women, tells us about Gentile scholars from the East seeking Him, and then records Jesus Himself being carried to the land of Egypt. And the Gospel ends with Him sending His apostles to make disciples of 'all nations.' His birth has worldwide significance. To use the language of Revelation, Jesus has come so that 'Satan...might not deceive the nations any longer' (Revelation 20:2-3). 

It is against this background that Matthew records how Satan tempted Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11); how one of His own disciples sought to divert Him (16:21-23); how religious leaders plotted against Him (21:45; 26:3-5); how another of His disciples betrayed Him (26:14-16); and eventually how His enemies, spiritually blinded, crucified the Lord of glory (26:47 - 27:50; 1 Corinthians 2:9). 

We have seen the explanation for this. At the center of Matthew's Gospel stands Jesus' vision statement:    'I will build my church!' (Matt. 16:18). He does this on enemy-occupied territory in the face of the 'gates of Hell.' (look into Mount Hermon and Caesarea Philipi and the incredibly wicked practices that went on there - Caesarea Phillipi). Jesus didn't want His followers hiding from evil. He wanted them to storm the gates of Hell. He was commissioning them to a huge task: to attack evil, and to build the Church on the very places that were most filled with moral corruption and wickedness. And He assures us, the gates of Hell 'shall not prevail.'

But it will not be for want of trying. Herod's murder of these little boys tells us how vicious Satan's opposition to Jesus is. This was the opening salvo of a war that would be waged against our Lord for the rest of His life. Herod himself was but a lieutenant in the history-long strategy of Satan to prevent Jesus accomplishing what He came into the world to do: namely, 'save His people from their sins' (1:21).

Taken from The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Out of Egypt...I called My Son

 "Now when they (the wise men) had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Rise, take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the Child to destroy Him.' And he rose and took the Child and His mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet (Hosea 11:1), 'Out of Egypt I called My Son.'"

The point in this story of Egyptian exile is about Jesus' identity; for later, once Herod was dead, Jesus would be brought out of Egypt, and thus fulfill Hosea 11:1...which reflects on the rescue of God's people - His "son" Israel - from slavery in Egypt. 

In Matthew's account of their escape to Egypt, "there are echoes of the story told in Genesis and Exodus. A family goes down into Egypt; a child is rescued from a wicked ruler; he grows up and leads his people out of their bondage; they pass through the waters of the sea; they are tested in the wilderness; eventually they reach the borders of the promised land. 

These events are like a shadow cast backwards into history from the life of the Lord. He is the reality. He is the true Son of God who was called out of Egypt; He would go through the waters in His baptism in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:1-17); He would be tested in the wilderness (4:1-11).

Matthew is telling us that in Jesus a greater exodus has begun. 30 years later, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus would discuss with Moses and Elijah the 'departure' (literally the "exodus", Luke 9:31) that He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. This true and final exodus would not be a physical deliverance from an earthly pharaoh. It would be deliverance from Satan, and from the guilt, and power, and shame of sin.

Jesus being taken into Egypt was not simply for His own safety. It was to fulfill a prophecy - to fill out and fill up a pattern that God had written into His own people's history to point them forward to the full and final exodus that would bring us eternal salvation. And brought it He has! Now there is no earthly danger, worldly power, or spiritual snare that His people need to fear. 

Everywhere we look into this story, we discover that it is all about salvation. That is its central message. That is the Christmas message. And it is our greatest need. If only we would see it!"

Taken from The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Christmas Devotion (Dec 25) - Jesus 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.” And Jesus will reign over the entire earth as its rightful ruler! 

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 (Dec 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 (Dec 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 (Dec 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 (Dec 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 (Dec 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 (Dec 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 (Dec 18) - Wise Men Still 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 I

   

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

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 (Dec 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. 

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, 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)

Fear Not - A Lesson From Linus

 

In 1965, Charles Schulz, a devout Christian and creator of the Peanuts comic strip, was asked to create a Christmas special for CBS featuring the Peanuts Characters. He agreed with one requirement, that they allow him to include the story of the birth of Jesus. Although the stations executives were hesitant and tried to convince him otherwise, Schulz was insistent. As a result, for the past 50 plus years, millions of people have watched and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and heard the story of Jesus and “what Christmas is all about.”

It wasn’t until a few years back that I realized a “hidden message” in the film. Linus, a child who seems to have some insecurities as he carries a security blanket with him at all times. In fact, Linus NEVER drops his blanket, except once....

While sharing the message of “what Christmas is all about,” Linus drops his blanket at the exact moment he says the words, “fear not!”

In this seemingly innocent moment, Linus delivers a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. We are to “fear not”, for Jesus is born. We needn’t rely on material things for security, we have God with us, “Immanuel”, (Matthew 1:23) Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior - the true meaning of Christmas.

Awhile back, someone informed me, indignantly so, that Linus picks up his blanket at the end of the speech so my interpretation must be wrong. Well, he was right, Linus does pick up his blanket at the end of his speech. However, he “drops” it again later...  

Amid big, bright, colorful, shiny artificial trees, Charlie Brown chose the least of these, a little, wooden tree with just a few branches. Shortly thereafter, Linus uses his blanket to wrap about the base of the tree and says, “Maybe it just needs a little love”. In that moment, the tree “awakens”, stands tall and firm. A reminder that no matter who we are, how many mistakes we’ve made, a “little love” can make all the difference.

Let’s strive to “fear not” (Luke 2:10) and “love one another” (John 13:34), not just at Christmastime, but the whole year through.

Borrowed from Charlene M. Speer & ‘Christian Life Ministry’ on Facebook...