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Anne Johnston

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Devotions

What does the future hold?

1 Min Read

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

In a couple of days, this year will come to an end, and we enter a brand new one. As we look back for the past months, we can see where the Lord has been with us, guiding our footsteps, and providing our every need.

We look forward to the New Year with confidence that the Lord is in control. Our world is in turmoil, but peace fills our hearts as we realize this means we are that much closer to the Lord’s return.

We do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds our future, and we have no fear. Trouble and strife may rock our world, but we are safe in those everlasting arms.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the peace you give us and the hope that one day soon we will see you face to face. Keep us faithful to you in the coming year.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Presents or presence?

1 Min Read

“In thy presence is fullness of joy” Psalm 16:11

Christmas is over for another year. The tree will be taken town, and the decorations packed away until next year. We look at the cards we received one more time, and then tuck them out of sight.

But the greatest gift of Christmas is Jesus and He will not be packed away. The presents we received will soon be forgotten, as we prepare for a new year.

But the presence of Jesus Christ will remain with us every day, as we take time to read His Word, spend time with Him in prayer each day, and meditate upon the love and mercy He has shown us.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the joy that Christmas brings, but most of all I thank you for your presence with us every day of the year.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Gifts for the King

1 Min Read

“We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

The wise men are always included in Nativity scenes and in pictures. But we know that they did not visit the Baby in the manger; they came later when Mary and Joseph were living in a house.

They followed the star and came to bring gifts for the promised one. This was all part of God’s plan, for, no doubt, those gifts provided the means of support of Joseph and Mary when they had to flee to Egypt. Where God leads, He provides.

So many times we can look back at circumstances in our lives and realize how the Lord was with us, and provided for our needs even before we know we had them. I can remember a Christmas when my parents did not have money for gifts, and just a couple of days before Christmas, a cheque arrived in the mail and met the need.

Prayer: Lord, you have blessed us so much. Open our eyes today to see the needs of others, and show us what we can do to meet those needs.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Is it over?

1 Min Read

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

For some the day after Christmas can be a sad one. It is over for another year, friends and family have departed and the house feels empty. In our country, Boxing Day has become a big thing and people will be thronging the stores one again, looking for bargains. They will buy Christmas items to pack away for next year.

But for those of us who know the Lord, Christmas doesn’t end on December 25, for it is Christmas in our hearts all year long. We do not worship a baby in a manger, because we know that baby grew up, and gave His life on Calvary to redeem us.

He rose from the grave to give us life. He ascended into Heaven but sent back the Comforter who is alive in our hearts every day of the year. Now we look forward to His returning and spending eternity with Him.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us here on earth, and for the hope you have given us of Heaven.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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First Visitors

1 Min Read

“The shepherds said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.” Luke 2:15

There is always such excitement when a new baby is born. Friends and relatives come to call, bearing gifts and good wishes.

When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph were far away from their families. They had not been in Bethlehem long enough to make any friends. But the Lord sent the shepherds to be the first ones to see and worship the new King. They probably did not have any gifts to give, except the tidings that the angels had brought them.

There may be some of you today who are away from family and friends, and this may not be the happiest time of the year for you. But remember, the Saviour who came on Christmas Day, has promised to never leave you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus be with all of those who do not have family close on this day. Comfort them and bless them with your presence.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Making Room

1 Min Read

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

One more day, and we celebrate the most joyous day of the year. For some this will be one of the busiest days of the year as you prepare the meals and make ready the house for guests.

How tiring a day it must have been for Mary and Joseph as they traveled those long weary miles to Bethlehem, and then could not find a place to stay. Once they were shown to the stable, it would not have taken them long to ready a place to rest. And there, on that first Christmas morning, baby Jesus was born.

As we prepare our home for family and friends, may we also prepare a place in our hearts for the One who came to bring us life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to make room in our hearts for you as we celebrate this Christmas.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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The Best Gift

1 Min Read

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The year has gone by so fast and it hardly seems possible that Christmas is only two days away. For children, the next two days will seem like an eternity as they anticipate the gifts that they will receive on Christmas morning.

As children of God, we realize that the best Christmas gift of all was given on that first Christmas day so long ago. When Mary gazed upon the baby sleeping in the manger, she had no idea just what He had come to bring to mankind. Just imagine what this world would be like if He had not come.

As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, let us give thanks for the wonderful gifts He has bestowed upon us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for coming to earth in the form of Jesus Christ, to bring us the blessed gift of salvation. We thank you today, for the best gift of all.

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Joy Unspeakable

2 Mins Read

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

I like this picture of a child, full of joy, enjoying her day. Some days we just wish to be a child again and be so carefree.

I know that we all have things in our life that take away from our joy. Life is not always pleasant, the rain falls on the just and the unjust. But no matter what our circumstances we can have joy in our hearts, because we know that the Lord is in control of every part of our life. And we can trust Him completely to bring us through. The Scripture tells us that He was tempted in all points as we are, and He knows just what we need even before we ask.

So the sun may not always be shining, the sky may not always be blue, but behind the clouds is the rainbow of His love. The Psalmist said, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

As we show an attitude of joy even in the midst of sorrow or trouble, the world will see Jesus shining through us.

When the world looks at you, do they see Jesus?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know true joy only comes from you. As we put you first and others next, let joy flow though us to others.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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A Blessed Hope

1 Min Read

Romans 8:24 “For we are saved by hope…”

Jesus brought great hope to the earth, hope of deliverance from sin and hope of eternal life with Him.

Paul said, “If in this life we have hope, we are of all men most miserable.” Jesus has forgiven our sins, filled us with His Spirit, and given us a hope that one day we will spend eternity in His presence. Because of this hope, we spend time communicating with Him every day, growing closer to Him, and looking forward to what is ahead. Hope puts a song in our heart and a smile on our face.

As the world looks at us, they should be able to see that we have something within us that makes us want to smile. How great it is to be able to share that hope with others.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, our hope is in you today. Help us to share that hope with all we meet, so they too will be able to share in eternity with You.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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