Tuesday, December 29, 2020

January 15

1 ¶ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”” (Matthew 2:1-2 NKJV)

After Jesus”. The world changed so much time changed from BC – before Christ to AD – Anno Domini – the coming of God.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 NKJV)

Jesus, the Living Word, reveals to us who the glorious God is.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 13

who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13 NKJV)

This second birth is of and from the glorious God. Life began when God breathed His life into us with the first case of CPR.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

January 12

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” (John 1:12 NKJV)

Jesus makes us right so we have the right “to become children of God”.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 11

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11 NKJV)

This is so sad. The glorious God came to us and we turned away!


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

Sunday, December 20, 2020

January 10

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” (John 1:10 NKJV)

How can we not know the Creator? Is it because our eyes are used to darkness? Is it because we do not want to see? Is it because we are afraid to see?


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 9

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” (John 1:9 NKJV)

Many manger scenes show light coming from the Christ child. The “halo” is used by many to show power and royalty but with Jesus it is reminder He is the Light throughout all of time and in eternity.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 8

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” (John 1:8 NKJV)

John the baptist (not the denomination) was sent to be a witness of that Light. Not just a Light but the Light who came before the sun, moon and stars. Jesus was announced and witnessed about to all who need redemption – which is all of us!


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

Friday, December 18, 2020

January 7

This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.” (John 1:7 NKJV)

John prepared them for the Light which can be painful to those used to the dark. John was a human witness of the glorious God’s working in creation.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 6

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” (John 1:6 NKJV)

John the apostle is speaking about John the baptist (not the denomination) who God sent to announce the coming of the Messiah, the promised one. John the baptist recognized the Messiah even as both were in the womb!


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 5

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:5 NKJV)

Sitting in physical darkness we can see a light far away as we can see the light of stars, but our spiritual darkness closes our eyes to the Light because we do not understand it and fear it!


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 4

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4 NKJV)

The essence of light is life. Without the created light there would not be a chance for physical life and without Jesus as Light we could not have spiritual life!


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 3

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:3 NKJV)

Jesus IS before time and created time itself. John proclaims the completeness of the part of Jesus as “All things were made” andwithout Him nothing was made.”


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

January 2

He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:2 NKJV)

Before the beginning Jesus was with God. Here are three great mysteries to meditate on.

What was before the beginning?

What did the beginning begin?

If Jesus is God what does it mean He is with God?


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

Sunday, December 13, 2020

January 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NKJV)

John looks at the beginning of creation and then calls us to see there has now been a new beginning in Jesus Christ.“In the beginning” saw the creation and fall of Adam but this beginning is Life! Jesus is THE Word. Jesus is the foundation of every word and every language.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

With the beginning of the New Year I want to remind even those who are not Christians they should worship and glorify God for Who He is. God’s blessings are worthy of thanksgiving but we must praise God for who He is.

(Some think it is hurtful to call God He but isn’t it hurtful to not accept God’s referring to himself as He?)

 

December 31

But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”” (Hebrews 1:6 NKJV)

Adam is the first born of death but Jesus is the first born of Life! Adam turned from God seeking to be god choosing his way rather than God’s. Only God could save us from our mess and Jesus is God in the flesh. The angels worship God! Let all worship Jesus!


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

The journey to Bethlehem has begun

expectation seems to crackle in the air

creation awaits the Advent of hope

as salvation enters into time and space

as God wrapped in human flesh is born

as God enters our darkness as Light

and creation Mary holds her Creator

as the angels of heaven sing for joy

as shepherds worship the Shepherd

as the advent of God’s seed is born

12/8/2020

 

December 30

For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”?” (Hebrews 1:5 NKJV)

As God Jesus will always be higher than the angels. Satan sought to be god and was cast out of the presence of God with 1/3 of angels who followed satan. In so many ways the Father acknowledges Jesus as God to show Jesus is higher than angels.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

Thursday, December 10, 2020

December 29

having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (Hebrews 1:4 NKJV)

Jesus was already “much better than the angels” so how did Jesus become better than the angels as a human being? Could it be human beings who are redeemed are “much better than the angels”? We are designed in the image of God and through Jesus are part of the Body of Christ. Can angels become part of the Body of Christ?


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

 

December 28

who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” (Hebrews 1:3 NKJV)

This is one of those WOW verses! This is not the meek Jesus we like to talk about but the Kingly Jesus who came to take upon Himself our sin and not just ignore them and to fulfill the law.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.


December 27

has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;” (Hebrews 1:2 NKJV)

We have not just been given the message of God through prophets but by God’s Son! Jesus brings to creation Good News as the “appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;”. As the Son of God and Creator, Jesus is the Living and Spoken Word.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

December 26

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,” (Hebrews 1:1 NKJV)

God does speak to His people in different ways at different times. Since creation prophets have constantly been given God’s message. To prophesy is to share God’s message and in Truth (pun intended). Anyone with a basic understanding of the Bible can be and often are prophets to those around them. How does God speak to you? How does God speak through you?


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

It is hard to write

the pain confuses

weariness weighs

not here and now


What can I say

my soul is dead

my heart corrupt

my lips unclean


But I must say

God is worthy

God is glorious

God is…….

12/10/2020

 

 

December 25

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6-7 NKJV)

The “days were completed”. The birth of Jesus God has a time, place and purpose. The “only begotten Son of God” would be the firstborn son of Mary and Joseph. With so many coming to be registered there was no room for the child Jesus and sadly many do not make room in their heart for Him. Jesus would go from the “womb to the tomb” and from being wrapped in swaddling cloths to being wrapped in burial cloth.

Merry Christmas, and may you rejoice in Christ – mas (Christ in the flesh)!!!


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

 The journey to Bethlehem has begun

expectation seems to crackle in the air

creation awaits the Advent of hope

as salvation enters into time and space

as God wrapped in human flesh is born

as God enters our darkness as Light

and creation Mary holds her Creator

as the angels of heaven sing for joy

as shepherds worship the Shepherd

as the advent of God’s seed is born

12/8/2020

Sunday, December 6, 2020

 December 24

to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.” (Luke 2:5 NKJV)

Joseph and Mary were still not married even as Mary was with child and would give birth soon. To be betrothed is more involved than being engaged but still not married. They would have made what had to be a horrific journey for Mary to be registered as citizens of Rome so they could have the honor of paying taxes.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

December 23

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.” (Luke 2:4-5 NKJV)

God is able to use a Roman edict to work His will so the Son of God, who would be the king of Israel as the son of David, was born in the town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem means house of bread and this is where the Bread of Life would be born. Joseph and Mary would make the harder journey as the father and mother of the Son of God.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

December 22

““He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.” (Luke 1:32 NKJV)

Mary would have the honor and blessing of giving birth to the “Son of the Highest”! Wonder at this description of the cells which will grow in Mary’s womb to form a human being who “will be great”. Take time to meditate on each title of the Child forming in Mary’s womb. In Mary’s womb the Son of God and the founder of life is being formed in the water of the womb and fed through the blood of Mary.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

December 21

““And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.” (Luke 1:31 NKJV)

The humanity of Jesus is revealed by being conceived in Mary’s womb just as every human child is. But Mary realized the danger of being seen as an unmarried mother. She could be stoned to death and if not she could be forced into slavery or even into prostitution and her child would be an outsider even among His own people. Why would God ask her to take a risk like this? Because God wanted a good mom for His Son? Is it because of the name of the child she would bear would be Jesus?


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

December 20

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30 NKJV)

There is a progression in this call that gives assurance of God’s pleasure and help before the call is revealed. In the most trying and dark times these words could encourage and bring joy to Mary. We are told in scriptureGod is with us” not only means God’s presence but also His love.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

December 19

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.” (Luke 1:29 NKJV)

Mary was troubled? Look at the many times humans have a visitation by heavenly beings and in most cases the first words are “Fear not”. But Mary is troubled at his saying wondering what this meant. What could all of this mean?


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

Saturday, December 5, 2020

December 18

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”” (Luke 1:28 NKJV)

What an amazing statement about Mary! We are shown the character of Mary and the reason God chose her to be the Mother of Jesus! God seeks to encourage Mary declaring; “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you”. In whatever Mary was called to do or be God will be “with” her!


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

December 17

to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1:27 NKJV)

There is so much here. Mary was a virgin engaged to Joseph of the house of David.” Mary’s name is almost added as an afterthought. Both Mary and Joseph are honored by God but they were facing death to obey. Jesus would also honor the Father by obedience.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

December 16

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,” (Luke 1:26 NKJV)

Thus begins the “invasion” of God into the world He created. Earth and heaven united as God who created time and is beyond time comes into time. We are shown a definite time and place for the angel’s visit.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

 December 15

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11 NKJV)

This verse is part of Handel’s “Messiah” which is an amazing work of praise for the glorious God! We can also see Psalm 23 in this picture of God’s love and care for us.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 December 14

Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.” (Isaiah 40:10 NKJV)

Jesus came as God’s “right hand” and fulfilled the promise of the Kingdom of God. Jesus sits on the right side of the Father in power and might. Since the majority of people are right handed the idea of shaking with our right hand is a symbol of peace since we cannot draw our weapon to fight if we are joined by our right hands.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

December 13

O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”” (Isaiah 40:9 NKJV)

Lift up the glorious God and declare Him to the world! God calls us to go to the high places and lift our voices with strength and without fear. We are not called to lift up our congregation, our denomination but God. In strength and without fear cry out “Behold your God!”


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

December 12

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”” (Isaiah 40:8 NKJV)

Because of the fall death and destruction are the norm in creation. Even the seasons set by God are seasons of death seen in the fall and winter and seasons of life seen in spring and summer. But the written Word of God and the Living Word of God “stands forever”.


Your prayer

Give God thanks for what you have.

Praise God for who He is.

Ask for God to use you today.

 

November 20, 2024 ““ Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your fa...