January 6 Devotion

January 6, 2014

Today is Epiphany. The 12th day of Christmas.  This is the day when we remember and reflect on the visit of the Magi to the Christ child. This is the day in which the wider world (Magi from the East) discovered and worshiped the one born as King of the Jews.  Jesus is the Messiah and King of the Jews.  But also, he is the savior of the world.

Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus is worthy of worship.  Worship him today with your words.  What words of praise can to give him in prayers and songs?  Worship him with your actions.  What time, talent, and treasure can you offer the King of Kings today? Give him your best. 

January 5 Devotion

January 5, 2014

Read Ecclesiastes 2:26 and Ephesians 5:10

Pleasing God. Discovering what pleases him and then doing those things are what God's children make a priority in life.  It turns out that since God created and designed this world, pleasing Him ends up being the happiest life we could live. 

Ask the Lord in prayer and begin a search through the Bible to discover what pleases Him. The best life is found in simply being God's child.

Devotion January 4

Read Psalm 119:89-96

In this passage, the psalmist refers to the word of God in several ways:

Your word

Your laws

Your precepts

statutes

commands

Apart from a loving relationship, these words from an authority can seem cold and mighty demanding.  But because God loves us, these words give us life.

Notice the adjectives and affects that are mentioned from following these commands of God:

eternal

faithfulness

my delight

by them my life has been preserved

boundless

As you read, meditate upon, and memorize God's word, ponder the amazing God of love who gave us His word.  Love His word because you love God.

Consider memorizing this verse this weekend: Psalm 119:89.

This is a great promise to remember when faced with many uncertainties and difficulties in life.  God's word will never change or pass away.

January 3 Devotion

Read Matthew 1:18-25

In verse 19, Matthew tells us that Joseph planned to end the marriage betrothal quietly despite the right he had to publicly disgrace Mary.  She could be stoned for such an offense as turning up pregnant during the engagement process. But Matthew wrote that Joseph was a righteous man.  He sought to be right with God and right with people. He did not choose to use his righteousness as a platform to hurt Mary, but to forgive, to quietly dissolve the marriage, and allow her and him to start over.

We know, however, that the angel came to Joseph in a dream and the rest of the story flows from there. But what an amazing man to serve as Jesus' spiritual leader. A man quick to forgive. A man not torn with rage and vengeance, but full of mercy.  Righteousness is not to be used to tell others how unrighteous they are.  The righteous know how to rely on God's mercy and grace.  And they are willing to extend grace and mercy to others.

Are you quick to judge? Are you prone to anger and thoughts of revenge? Consider your own shortcomings and failures.  God has been so kind in dealing with you.  May you extend this same kindness and slack toward others. God's plan always extends to others.

January 2 Devotion

Read Luke 2:22-39

The days after Jesus' birth were filled with many religious rites and observances.  Before returning to Nazareth, Simeon and Anna prophesied about Jesus.  They shared that Jesus would reveal the hearts of many.  Many will rise and fall because of him.  He will bring the redemption of Israel.  Joseph and Mary were filled with awe in hearing such powerful statements about their little boy.  Such proud new parents.  Such heavy responsibilities. Joseph and Mary made it a priority to raise their child God's way.  They intended to be obedient in everything God's Law required.  This special child was in good hands with this young couple.

Pray today for the parents of many newborns in our church.  Pray for them as they seek to live by faith in raising their children God's way.  Here are a few to pray for: Doug and Stephanie Jenkins, Seth and Jeanna Lambert, Owen and Heather Henderson, and Williams and Amanda Heath.  Many other parents in our church community have little ones and adolescents. Pray for them as they seek to raise the next righteous generation for God.

Daily Devotions 2014 January 1

Read Luke 2:21

In the days of the New Testament, the Jewish people had many rituals and observances which demonstrated devotion and commitment to worship God by faith.  In this verse we read how Jesus was circumcised, like all Jewish boys, on the eighth day after his birth.  And it was on this day that he was given his name, Jesus.

We handle births in our day very differently.  

We often have a name picked out for our children long before they are born (of course Jesus’ name had been presented by the angel before he had been conceived).  We usually know the sex of our child months before the child is born.  In those days, until the child arrived no one knew for sure the sex of the child (but in Jesus’ case Mary was told this as well).

But imagine this for a moment.  For 7 days Jesus had no given name.  The shepherds came and went.  Joseph and Mary cared for his needs and Mary went through the Jewish rituals of purification after childbirth.

But on day 8, in obedience to the Law, Jesus is cut.  His family is to raise him by faith in obedience to God (see Genesis 17:10). And then his name is given. Jesus. The name given would be how the world will hear of God’s love and salvation.

This family lived by faith. Their love for God was demonstrated in obedient trust to do things God’s way. 

Your love for God is demonstrated by faith (trust and obedience).  As you start this new year, will you commit to live by faith?  Will you trust God to the point that what he says for your life will be your pattern of living?

Magic of Christmas

The magical season of Christmas is here.  This time of the year is unlike any other.  Radio stations play special songs.  Our towns and cities take on glitter and lights. Greenery, lights, special candies and snacks fill our homes.  The bells are rung outside our favorite stores reminding us not to forget the needs of the poor this season. 

We have been in the mood for Christmas around our home since Halloween.  Thanksgiving is included in the Christmas season for us. The longer we can extend this special season, the better.  As I have been rereading the Christmas stories again from the Bible, I have been taking time to post a few verses at a time on Facebook and Twitter. People seem to really enjoy being reminded of the rich scriptures that tell the story of Christmas.

May your season be merry and bright.