Christmas 2007

Devotional - December 24

Found this devotional in "Our Daily Bread" which is a resource from RBC Ministries.

Amid all the Christmas activities, one man is often forgotten.

No, I don’t mean the person whose birthday we’re celebrating. Although we often fail to give Jesus first place as He deserves, we don’t usually forget Him. I’m talking about Joseph—the man God trusted so much that He placed His Son in his home to love and nurture. What a responsibility!

Joseph truly is the forgotten man in the Christmas story. Yet his task was an important component of God’s incredible plan. As we read the story of the birth of Jesus, we find that Joseph was just, righteous, merciful, protective, and courageous. But most of all—he was obedient. When the angel told him to take Mary as his wife, he obeyed (Matt. 1:24). And when the angel told him to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, he did (2:13-14).

Just as Mary was carefully chosen to bear the Son of God, Joseph was deliberately chosen to provide for his young wife and the Christ-child. And trusting God, Joseph followed through on everything God asked him to do.

What is God asking of you today? Are you willing to commit yourself to do whatever He wants you to do?

We can learn much about obedience from Joseph, the forgotten man of Christmas.
—Cindy Hess Kasper

   

It matters not the path on earth
My feet are made to trod;
It only matters how I live:
Obedient to God.  —Clark

   

The proof of our love for God is our obedience to the commands of God.

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Devotional - December 23

On this last Sunday of Advent, be encouraged and uplifted by this quotes...

"By His divine nature, Christ is simple. By His human nature, He is complex." Thomas Aquinas

"He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute." Augustine of Hippo

"Bethlehem and Golgotha, the Manger and the Cross, the birth and the death, must always be seen together." J. Sidlow Baxter

"When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating that amazing time when the Word that shouted all the galaxies into being limited all power, and for love us came to us in the powerless body of a human baby." Madeline L'Engle

"The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father's will Jesus Christ became poor, and was born in a stable so that 30 years later He might hang on a cross." J. I. Packer

"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor." C. H. Spurgeon

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Devotional - December 22

A Christmas Prayer...

Father we thank you for this Advent season...
...this time when even the secular seems to have touches of the Sacred.
As we rush to attend services celebrating the birth of your Son,
let us not forget to take time ourselves to consider the meaning of it all.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

Let that truth pierce our hearts this week... as though we just heard it for the first time.
Out of His great love for us, the Infinite God squeezed himself into our tiny little finite existence!
Fill us with wonder anew that it may drip out onto those around us...
...so that we won't be just attending services this week, we'll be experiencing them.

Bring those who need to hear the Good News of Great Joy.
Let our vibrant faith, our very lives, proclaim it with love and grace.
Fill us all with the Peace that passes all understanding as we gather once more around the manger.
Just as the shepherds did so long ago...
...to bow in worship before the King of all Creation.

To Him be the Glory and Honor and Praise forever and ever.
Amen.

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Devotional - December 21

Only 4 more days 'til Christmas - where has the time gone?

I found this article in "In Touch" magazine - it's the December 2007 edition. My mom subscribes to it and I've been visiting my mom - so, thanks Mom, for helping me out here!!

"A Lesson Learned From Jesus' Birth"

READ: Luke 2:1-7 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Every portion of Scripture is significant. (2 Timothy 3:16). It can be surprising to discover what favorite Bible stories reveal about God. For instance, many families have a Christmas tradition of reading the account of Jesus' birth. The words are a comforting reminder that Christ came to earth to die for our sins. But the details of His birth also teach us that what may appear unimportant can have far-reaching consequences.

Some people of Jesus' time expected the Messiah to be a man of power and standing, who would free the Jewish nation from Roman rule. But the Savior of the world, whose life, death, and resurrection would have eternal impact, was born into lowly circumstances. Neither Joseph nor Mary had position or power, and even Jesus' birth city of Bethlehem was politically unimportant. Those who were keeping vigil for a Messiah with wordly status no doubt missed the Savior when He came.

Modern believers shouldn't scoff at the shortsightedness of Jesus' contemporaries. Like them, we often ignore the seemingly insignificant while waiting for God to do something dramatic. Our attention can be so focused on our situation and how we want it to resolve that we miss the Lord at work in unexpected ways.

EARLY LIGHT: The saints of God are called to live with eyes and hearts open to His guidance. When we seek His will and commit to following Him in everything, we will not miss opportunities to obey Him. And our obedience, even in matters that seem trival, does have eternal consequences.

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Devotional - December 20

Found this great article by Howard Dayton, co-founder of Crown Ministries. It's worth reading the entire article - check out this excerpt...

Christmas Wasn't Always About the Presents

Howard Dayton

From October 31 onward it's impossible to forget that Christmas is coming. Before Thanksgiving, the red-coated man with the white beard and bag of toys is seen in stores and by mid-December, most homes are decorated, inside and out, with Christmas trees and lights.

However, the real Christmas story is found in Matthew and Luke chapters 1 and 2. It's about the earthly birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ the Son of God. Conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, He lived and ministered on earth, and then died and arose again -- the promised Messiah. Jesus came as the Savior of all, and identifies Himself with every racial group, every culture, and every society.

Click HERE to read the rest of the article!

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Devotional - December 19

"Behold, a virgin shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Isaiah 7:14 (R.V.)

Nativitystory

His Birth in History. "Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35.) Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not evolve out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being, He is a Being Who cannot be accounted for by the human race at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate, God coming into human flesh, coming into it from outside. His life is the Highest and the Holiest entering in at the Lowliest door. Our Lord's birth was an advent.

His Birth in Me. "Of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." (Gal. 4:19.) Just as Our Lord came into human history from outside, so He must come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a "Bethlehem" for the Son of God? I cannot enter into the realm of the Kingdom of God unless I am born from above by a birth totally unlike natural birth. "Ye must be born again." This is not a command, it is a foundation fact. The characteristic of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that Christ is formed in me. Immediately Christ is formed in me, His nature begins to work through me.

God manifest in the flesh - that is what is made profoundly possible for you and me by the Redemption.

- Oswald Chambers (1927). My Utmost for His Highest. Barbour Publishing.

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Devotional - December 18

Reflect: A favorite movie quote: "Buddy the Elf speaking, what's your favorite color?" I love the innocence and exuberance of Buddy, the main character in the Christmas movie "Elf." Buddy personifies the type of child-like wonder and joy I need to have infused into the core of my soul at Christmas time...how about you?

Read: "Joy to the world, the Lord is come...let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing." Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst...He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice." God is with us and rejoices over us - we are with God and we rejoice over Him - sounds like a continuous state of joy!

Imagine: Just for a moment, look at life through the eyes of a child - children have a way of seeing what we don't see - they see people and details that we completely gloss over. They see beauty in simple things like dandelions and silver crayons. They squeal with joy at an energetic puppy's antics. Their eyes open wide at the sight of a birthday cake with candles burning brightly. They jump up and down in anticipation of a cookie - even a store-bought one. Today, find something to jump up and down about! Even better yet, find a friend to jump up and down with!!

Pray: God help me to see You through the eyes of a child today. Restore a sense of wonder and anticipation to my heart and help me to rejoice in the simple things.

Celebrate: Only 8 days 'til Christmas!

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Devotional - December 17

I have a friend who is the lead pastor of a church in California. He writes some very thought-provoking posts on his personal blog. He recently wrote a post called "Christmas Time Is Hear." Here's an excerpt..."Driving into our neighborhood just a week ago we were singing, "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas," today with just about everyone's decorations up; we sing, "Christmas Time is Here!"

Which is the real point of what I would like to discuss. Seeing Christmas is much different than hearing Christmas.

There is so much in music; emotion, beauty, encouragement, companionship... if seeing is believing then hearing is being.  In other words, decorations let me know what time of year it is, while listening to Christmas music transcends time. Music can transport me back in time to a moment or Christmas music specifically can put me in the spirit of Christmas even if it's July." Click HERE to read the entire post.

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Devotional - December 16

This devotional came from Greg Laurie, a pastor in Southern California. I've struggled for years to keep the real reason for Christmas totally in focus. This perfectly expresses what I've known and felt for a while now. I challenge you to read, reflect, imagine, and respond!

I heard a story about a little girl who noticed that her mom was getting really stressed out around Christmas. Everything was bothering her mom, and she was very irritable. Evening came and the mom bathed the little girl, got her ready for bed, put her under the covers, and had her say her prayers. She would usually pray the Lord's Prayer. But on this particular evening, she amended it a little bit. Her petition went something like this: "Father, forgive us our Christmases, as we forgive those who Christmas against us."

That is what happens when we lose focus of the real meaning of Christmas, isn't it? We get so caught up in the busyness of the season that sometimes we forget the wonder of it all: that deity took on humanity, that God became a man. Scripture sums it up well in 2 Corinthians 8:9, which says: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (NKJV). Jesus literally went from the throne of Heaven to a simple little cave or stable.

Can you imagine what must have gone through Mary's mind that day when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her she would be the mother of the Messiah? Her head must have been swimming. "What about Joseph? What are people going to say?" But God had it all put together, because the time was just right in every way.

But there was one small detail: The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, as Scripture prophesied (see Micah 5:2). So the Lord touched the mind of a little man who was big in his own mind. His name was Caesar and, at this particular time in history, he was the most powerful man on Earth. One day, Caesar gave a decree that all of the world should be taxed. In reality, he was nothing more than a pawn in the hand of God. The Lord needed Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, so He moved events.

So Mary and Joseph had to make the difficult journey to Bethlehem, which was especially perilous for a woman who was as far along in her pregnancy as Mary was. But they did make it, and there the miraculous birth of Christ took place, just as Scripture said it would.


This little baby grew up quickly and, although we would love to know more about his boyhood, the Bible offers only a few details. But one day in the synagogue in Nazareth, as the custom was, the time had come for Jesus to read. He walked to the front of the synagogue, opened up the scroll, and began to read from Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18–19 NLT)

When He had finished, He sat down and said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (verse 21). He had declared himself the Messiah. His public ministry had begun.

This One who was sent from God was always in perfect sync with the Father. While He spoke with the learned spiritual leaders, He always had time for the outcasts of society—people like the woman at the well and the tax collector, Zacchaeus. People like you. People like me.

His ministry on Earth was only a few years, and then He was crucified. You can be sure that as He hung there on the cross, where all of the sin of humanity was placed upon Him, this was God's most painful moment. But then it was finished. Jesus rose again from the dead and, after a time, ascended back into Heaven, promising to come back to this earth. And we eagerly await that day.

This Jesus who was born in a manger, who walked this earth, who was crucified, and who rose again, is not some mere historical figure, although He was that. He is alive, and He is still in the business of changing lives.

That is the reason He came: to put us in touch with God, to forgive us of all of our sins, and to give our lives purpose and meaning.


~Greg Laurie~

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Devotional - December 15

Reflect:  Have you ever met a shepherd? When I was in Romania in 2005, I was able to share the Gospel with a man who was a shepherd. He was rough around the edges. Very weathered face and hands. When we met he was wearing full rain gear – bright yellow slicker, boots, floppy hat. Romania was experiencing heavy rain and devastating flooding at the time. This man’s name was Tom. He was very receptive to listening to the Gospel because he had lost all hope in life. He had been caring for a large herd of sheep. They were grazing in a pasture and some wandered close to the main road. A car came barreling down the road, lost control and killed several sheep. The sheep’s owner not only fired him, they had him arrested for negligence. The court levied a heavy fine against him - - 2 yrs wages (about $100) was the penalty. Tom was reaching out for anything that might help him make sense of this loss of job and wages. He would most likely be losing his home and of course, no one would want to hire him as shepherd. Although he listened quite intently to what I had to say, he declined to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior. He did, however, ask me to pray for him for deliverance from alcohol, which I was glad to do. That incident really helped me put the role of shepherds into proper perspective. Shepherds hold the life and well-being of each and every sheep in their hands. If they take their eyes off the sheep for even a minute, there could be dire consequences. So, even at night, while the rest of the world sleeps, shepherds must keep watch over their flocks. I imagine that they spend a lot of time listening for the sounds of approaching intruders, watching the sky for signs of changes in the wind and weather, always very aware of all that is going on in and around the flock. 

Read: Luke 2:8-11 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.’”

Pray:  Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to the shepherds first, for sharing the most incredible news of all with these men who appeared to be poor and insignificant, but who were actually diligent, caring and watchful over their sheep. Thank You so much for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be our Shepherd!

Celebrate:  We have a Shepherd who watches over us and cares for us!!

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Devotional - December 14

Reflect: I've been thinking about this old red lantern I once saw at a worship service. It was filled with kerosene and lit at the appropriate time to signify Christ being the light of the world. It was a very meaningful moment which wouldn't have been nearly as memorable without the lamp. I wonder how I can reflect this same light to the world. What would that look like in practical terms for my every day words and actions?

Read: "The whole meaning of the Christian community lies in offering a space in which we wait for that which we have already seen. Christian community is the place where we keep the flame alive among us and take it seriously, so that it can grow and become stronger in us. In this way we can live with courage, trusting that there is a spiritual power in us that allows us to live in this world, without being seduced constantly by despair, loneliness, and darkness." Excerpt by Henri Nouwen, taken from "Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas" (various authors).

Imagine: A dark room full of flickering flames. Some flames are weak and struggling to stay lit. Other flames are burning steady. There is a central flame in the middle of the room - it is quite magnificent and beautiful; the walls reflect its dancing and mesmerizing shadows. As all flames move first toward each other and then toward the central flame together, the room is illuminated much more brightly. The weaker flames become stronger, the steady flames become more powerful. The combined lights begin to overtake and dispel the darkness. 

Pray: God, I want to be a shining light in this world. I don't know what that looks like. But I'm willing for You to fill me with Your light. Show me how to reflect Your light. Give me courage to seize opportunities to shine for You.

Celebrate: Although the world can be a very dark place, we can know the Source of Light and reflect His light! Don't be afraid to shine!

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Devotional - December 13

Reflect:  Only 12 days left ‘til Christmas. Where’s your head and heart today? How’s traffic treating you? How about the crowds at the mall? Is your JOY still intact? What are some things that steal your JOY?

Read: Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with JOY in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for JOY and I will give thanks to him in song.” Psalm 90:14 “Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for JOY and be glad all our days.” Psalm 126:3 “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY.” Luke 2:10-11 “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great JOY that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

Pray:  God, thank You for the gift of JOY! I pray that my heart would be full to overflowing with the JOY that comes from knowing You. Remind me over and over again of the birth of Your Son, Jesus, so that my JOY can be refreshed, restored, and renewed! 

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Devotional - December 12

A few weeks ago, I saw the Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Show featuring the Rockettes. It was absolutely spectacular. The lights, the music, the dancing, the snow, santa, the elves, it was all so "Christmassy." Near the end of the show, they started building a living nativity scene right before our eyes. It was unbelievable. All the glitzy, sparkling, frivolous fun faded into the background and the stage became a beautiful tableau of Biblical characters, including Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, sheep, wise men and camels. Then a projection screen dropped down in front of the scene and the following words were projected and read out loud with music underscoring the entire scene. It was the perfect way to end the evening! I've included a link to a slide show version of these words with music. Click here or on the title and you'll be re-directed.

 One Solitary Life

He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman   
He grew up in another obscure village 
Where he worked in a carpenter shop 
Until he was thirty   

He never wrote a book   
He never held an office   
He never went to college   
He never visited a big city   
He never travelled more than two hundred miles 
From the place where he was born   
He did none of the things 
Usually associated with greatness   
He had no credentials but himself

 He was only thirty three

His friends ran away 
One of them denied him   
He was turned over to his enemies 
And went through the mockery of a trial   
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves   
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing 
The only property he had on earth   

When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave 
Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race 
And the leader of mankind’s progress   

All the armies that have ever marched 
All the navies that have ever sailed 
All the parliaments that have ever sat 
All the kings that ever reigned put together 
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth 
As powerfully as that one solitary life

(c) 1926 - Dr James Allan

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Devotional - December 11

Reflect:  SILENCE definitely has its own sound… each time I visit the Prayer Garden in Phoenix, I experience the absolutely deafening roar of SILENCE. Once the roar of SILENCE settles down to more of a feeling than a sound, I begin to hear things like my heart beating, individual blades of grass rubbing together, the gentle wings of butterflies pumping the air. What does SILENCE sound like to you? What does it feel like?

Read: 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. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar; heav’nly hosts sing alleluia-Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born! Silent Night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace-Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Imagine: “During the First World War, on Christmas Eve, the battlefield was strangely quiet. As the soft snow fell, the thoughts of the young men were of home and their families. Softly one lad began to hum ‘Silent Night.’ Wheezy tenors and throaty baritones took up the chorus until the trenches resounded with the Christmas song. When they finished singing, they were astonished to hear the song echoing from the trenches across no-man’s land: In their own tongue the other soldiers also sang ‘Silent Night.’ That night they were thinking of the Prince of Peace, the Christ of Christmas.” [excerpted from “This Christmas Night” by Billy & Ruth Graham ©2007]

Pray: Father, God, thank You for being there in the SILENCE. Help me to find time in the middle of the busyness of this week to listen for Your voice. Let this be a time of peace in my life. Not peace that the world gives, but “peace that surpasses all understanding.”   

Celebrate: Fine a time and place where you can be SILENT before God and listen for His voice. Find joy in the SILENCE!

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Devotional - December 10

Reflect:  Is there room in your life for the Savior? Is your relationship with Christ just another nagging item on your already overflowing to-do-list? Out of the 168 hours you are given each week, how many of those hours are specifically for you and God? Oh, I know, technically all of those hours are His. But, which hours are specifically carved out, set aside and honored as time with the Father?

Read: Luke 2:4-7 “Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Imagine: You go to Bethlehem with your soon-to-be husband. You are nine months pregnant and riding on a donkey. By day, you only stop to rest when the animals need a break. By night, you sleep on the ground with only a rock for your pillow. You are more than ready to get to your destination, pay your taxes, and find at least minimal accommodations for the duration of your stay. But then the baby within you announces His imminent arrival and you are forced to retreat to a dank, dark cave which you must share with animals also seeking shelter. The innkeepers who all turned you away, could not have possibly realized that they could have witnessed first-hand the birth of the Messiah had they just somehow managed to rent even the tiniest space to this young couple. There was no room. No room at all for the Son of God.

Pray: God, I need more and more of You and less and less of this world. Help me to find You in every moment of each day. I pray for continuous presence in my life. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for drawing me unto Yourself.

Celebrate: God is not untouchable or unreachable or unrelational – He is a “hands-on” everyday God. Reach out to Him, He’ll reach down to You! Call upon His Name, He’ll answer You!

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Devotional - December 9

Reflect:   It is God’s way to begin small. When He decided to redeem and save a world, it might be expected that He would rend the heavens and astonish the world with the terror of His majesty and the beauty of His love. But He did not. He started with a baby in a cow stable. He could scarcely have made a smaller beginning.

Read: “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay…The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh…Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray; bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.”

Imagine: A dark cave. Animals grazing, dozing, rustling around. A young girl, a brand new mom, has just given birth to a perfect baby boy. The thought of holding the long-awaited Messiah in her arms must have taken her breath away. I don’t think Mary could even fathom the events that would unfold over the next 33 years, culminating in the crucifixion of the Christ Child whom she would care for and nurture and train up in the ways of His Father.

Pray: God, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for showing the world the depths of Your love. Fill me again with the wonder of Christmas. Help me to stay focused on Jesus.

Celebrate: We don’t have to dress up or impress God. Come to Him just as You are and offer words of love and praise to Him!

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Devotional - December 8

Reflect: What’s your middle NAME? Do you have any idea what the meaning behind your first NAME is? Parents-to-be typically spend a lot of time and sometimes intense discussion in selecting a NAME for their child. They drag out the NAME books, the family tree, favorite places, seasons, and celebrities. If you could re-name yourself, based strictly on the meaning of the word, what would you NAME yourself?

Read: Isaiah 9:6 “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders. And His NAME will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  What personalized, descriptive NAME would you give to God based on your relationship with Him? When you call upon His Name, do you know, without a doubt, that He listens and responds?

Pray: Father God, thank You for revealing Yourself to us by so many names. You are absolutely everything that we need and we call upon You and You alone to be our Savior. Thank You for saving us and healing us and leading us and guiding us, all in Your Name.

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Devotional - December 7

Reflect: Think about the best GIFT you ever bought for someone. Now think about the best GIFT you ever received. Are you better at giving or receiving GIFTS? If you could choose one final GIFT to receive or give before the end of your life, what would it be? Your answer doesn’t have to be deep or spiritual – a gift-wrapped Lexus is a perfectly acceptable answer!  

Read: Throughout the New Testament we read of God generously giving gifts to His people. Some examples: living water, life, spiritual gifts, salvation, the Holy Spirit, Jesus and eternal life, just to name a few. James 1:17 says “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”         

Picture: Imagine what kind of GIFT we could possibly give to God. He’s on your shopping list, right? At first you might think that He’s the most difficult One to find a gift for, second only to your mother-in-law! But if you think about it, the only GIFT He has ever wanted, is for us to receive the GIFT that He gave us. When we realize the magnificence and destiny-changing significance of this GIFT, the GIFT we will be compelled to give Him is our heart, our soul, our very being.  

Pray: Dear God, thank You for the GIFT of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for all the good and perfect and gifts which You give to us freely. You are so good, so generous, so loving. Give me a renewed sense of gratitude for Your generosity and kindness.

Celebrate: Today, celebrate the GIFT of salvation. Thank God for His boundless love which overflowed with the GIFT of His Son, Jesus to be our Savior.

Posted at 02:00 AM in Christmas, Fellowship North Church, Gifts | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Devotional - December 6

Reflect: Think about God’s LOVE. It’s unfailing. It’s everlasting. It’s beautiful. It’s personal. It can be described in a myriad of ways. But the greatest description of God’s LOVE, is the actual demonstration of God’s LOVE.   

Read: In Matthew 1:21, we read, “She will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Why…why would God send His one and only Son to save His people from their sins? In John 3:16, we read, “For God so LOVED the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”   

Picture: Imagine the many different ways we choose to show people we love them. We send a lovely, heartfelt card. We buy them the perfect gift. We spend 4 hours shopping with them or watching an action flick together. We hold hands or give a neck and shoulder rub. We say it over and over with our words, with our eyes, with our actions. But none of these actions can come close to comparing with God’s perfect expression of love for us…He gave His Son. He allowed His Son to die in order to pay the penalty for our sins so we wouldn’t have to.

Pray: Dear God, thank You for Your LOVE. Thank You for LOVING us enough to send Jesus to be our Savior. Remind us today to show Your LOVE to others by the way we walk and talk and worship. Give us tangible ways to share Your LOVE with the world we live in.

Celebrate: Today, celebrate the LOVE of God. Bask in His LOVING arms. Spend time talking to God and thanking Him for His LOVE.

Posted at 11:55 PM in Christmas, Fellowship North Church, Love | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Devotional - December 5

Reflect: Reflect for a moment on the word FEAR. Think about the last time you were truly afraid. Maybe someone came up behind you suddenly and touched your shoulder. Maybe you were attempting to do something you’d never done before. Whatever the cause, you were shaken to the core.

Read: Luke 1:13, Luke 1:30, Matthew 1:20, and Luke 2:10. You’ll read four encounters, specifically related to the birth of Christ, where an angel appears to people and says the words “fear not.” 

Picture: Imagine these four different scenarios. Zacharias, an old man, was filled with fear when an angel appeared. He was told that he would a father and that his son would be the forerunner of the Messiah. The angel told him, “Fear not.” Mary was told that she would have the awesome privilege of bearing the Son of God. Fear filled her at first, but the angel said, “Fear not, Mary.” Joseph, betrothed to Mary, was filled with fear and embarrassment when he learned that she was pregnant. But the angel declared, “Fear not...” Then when the Holy Child was born, the angel came to those shepherds in the fields and said, “Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy.” (excerpted from DECISION, December 1984, “The Peace of Christmas”)

Pray: Father, I ask that You would draw me close to Yourself during this Christmas season. Help me to face life with courage and cast aside fear, knowing that Your Spirit is within me, guiding, helping, comforting and encouraging me. Be my Strong Tower and Refuge today and every day.

Celebrate: Today, celebrate the Savior who came to conquer fear and death and gives us hope and a future.

Posted at 02:00 AM in Angels, Christmas, Fellowship North Church | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Devotional - December 4

Reflect: Every year, thousands of people spend the month of December running around like maniacs, frantically shopping, making appearances at parties, baking endlessly, and entertaining family and friends for days on end. For some, this is what Christmas is all about. The activities and the lights and the gifts and the food. But for others, there is a gnawing sense of dissatisfaction at the end of the season. It's like there was something missing...was it a gift we forgot to buy? a cookie we forgot to bake? a relative we forgot to send a Christmas card to?

Read: Listen to Linus as he reads the Christmas story out loud.

Heart Check: If we remove all the trappings and hype and lights and even the traditions, would we truly find Jesus at the center of our celebrations?

Pray: God, please help me to make the birth of Your Son, Jesus, the Main Event. Thank You for the simplicity of this most perfect Gift. I pray that this Christmas season, I would have opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas with others.

Posted at 02:05 AM in Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas, Fellowship North Church, Worship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Devotional - December 3

 

Reflect: Reflect for a moment on the word LISTEN. Does this word remind you of school where students are continuously being reminded to LISTEN? Can you think of any particular time or place where it was absolutely imperative that you LISTEN with every bit of your concentration? How difficult is to LISTEN over the noise & busyness & hustle & bustle of the Christmas season?

Read: In 1 Samuel 3:10 we read about Samuel hearing God’s voice for the 1st time: “The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

Picture: So, picture yourself, lying in your bed at night. You’ve just about drifted off into the most satisfying, comfortable, peaceful sleep ever, when suddenly you’re woken up by a voice. The voice seems to be saying, “LISTEN.” You are suddenly very alert and aware of the sound of your heart beating. You listen even more closely. You realize that God is with you. Not just above you in the heavens, but right there with you, close enough to touch and you can hear His voice. What is He saying to you? Is He singing songs over you? Is He assuring you of His love? Is He telling you ancient stories of His faithfulness? LISTEN closely.

Pray: Heavenly Father. I long to hear Your voice and to know You more deeply than ever. Help me to LISTEN more carefully for Your voice and to respond faithfully to Your calling. Help me to hear You above the sounds and distractions of the Christmas season.

Celebrate: Today, celebrate the One-on-one relationship you have with God by taking time to be silent and LISTEN!

Posted at 07:37 AM in Christmas, Fellowship North Church, Listen, Worship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Devotional - December 2

Reflect: Reflect for a moment on the word WAIT. When is the last time you had to wait for something for what seemed an interminably long time? Were you patient? Did you anticipate the end result? Did you wait expectantly, on the edge of your seat, knowing that the waiting time was almost over? Was the wait worth it in the end?

Read: In Psalm 130:5 we read: “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” As we wait in long lines this Christmas season, or as we wait for anything, really, we can be reminded that we are waiting for the second coming of the Messiah. We can put our hope in the promise of His word. The Messiah was promised and came in the form of a baby, born in a manger in Bethlehem so many years ago. Now we are waiting for His return with great anticipation and joy!

Picture: So, picture yourself, waiting for someone dear to you to return home. You straighten up the house. Maybe put out some fresh flowers. You prepare a magnificent feast. You wash the windows and sweep the driveway. You keep watch at the front window, looking up every time a car drives by, listening for those familiar footsteps, imagining the joyous reunion that will take place very soon…

Pray: Father God, waiting for Jesus’ return is difficult. Help me to wait with hopeful expectation for Him. Give rest to my soul as I trust in Your word and in Your promises. Thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus.

Celebrate: Today, celebrate the blessed hope we have in waiting for the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)!

Posted at 02:23 PM in Christmas, Fellowship North Church, Hope, Worship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Devotional - December 1

Reflect: Let's reflect on the word HOPE for a minute. Hope is one of those "church" words that we at times throw around quite regularly. We talk about "keeping the faith" and we quite regularly encourage each other to "not lose hope." It seems that the world we live in is marked and marred by hopelessness. Despair, depression and darkness threaten to stifle and oppress and steal the very breath that we breathe. What HOPE do we really have to hold on to or offer to others?

Read: In Isaiah 9:2 we read: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." This was written eight hundred years before the birth of Christ. Yet it foretold the promise of the coming Light of the World who would illuminate our lives, bringing us peace and joy and HOPE!

Picture: So, the picture we have is of utter darkness, which is suddenly pierced by a marvelous, magnificent light which dispels the gloom, and shines as a bright beacon, leading the way to freedom.

Pray: God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be the light of the world. Thank you for the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the gift of salvation and for your unfailing love. Lord, we eagerly anticipate your second coming. We ask for renewed peace and hope that only comes from faith in You.

Celebrate: Today, celebrate the glorious HOPE we have in Jesus!

Posted at 12:39 PM in Christmas, Fellowship North Church, Hope, Worship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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