Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 18:3, NIV) I began a new job teaching Christian Preschool in September. Coming from a High School background I was very nervous…
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord. (Luke 2:11. NIV) The Christmas season is always a very busy time of year. Whether we be out shopping, preparing for concerts, family gathers – it is very easy to get caught up…
The birth of Jesus began a new period known as Anno Domini (AD). English dates were once written as “In the Year of Our Lord.” The years before and after Christ, BC and AD, were recognized by all, even the nonreligious. Then, along came skeptic intellectuals who challenged the existence of Jesus. They decided that history could not justify this man as worthy of splitting time. Now Before Christ (BC) is known as Before Common Era (BCE) and after Christ is Common Era (CE). Their only concession to this change in the Gregorian calendar was that the split continues to be the year Jesus is thought to have been born.
What did the local scoffers say when the shepherds received the good news of the birth of a Savior? What did onlookers at the crucifixion say when the sun hid from the calamity? What will the ones who have denied Jesus say at the judgement?
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11, Holy Bible, New King James)
All will acknowledge Jesus as the Savior, the divider of time.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your birth divided time. In the few years You lived on this earth, You brought hope to those of your generation. With Your death, You brought hope to all generations. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5, Holy Bible, King James Version)
How strange it must have been to hear the prophet Isaiah foretell of the death of the great Redeemer less than thirty years after the promise of His birth. Could it be possible that the anticipated Savior might have a similar short time on earth?
“A time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2), the words of another Old Testament wise man says we each have a span of time. From the moment the angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds until the day He was crucified, about the same number of years between the promised birth and death, Jesus accomplished all that was needed to change the future.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, in the short years You lived as a man on this earth, You brought hope to those of your generation. With Your death, You brought hope to all generations. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3, Holy Bible, King James Version) What do you think of when you hear the word…
And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. (Luke 7:16, Holy Bible, King James Version)
God’s people had waited centuries from the promise of the fulfillment of the birth of a Savior. Now Jesus, a man of compassion, brought a widow’s son back to life. But they were afraid. Afraid of the Savior they longed for. How could that be?
A miracle, an unexplainable event that defied nature, first shocked the crowd. Then they understood. The promised Savior dwelt among men on earth. Even nature had to obey when He spoke.
Prayer: Lord, when I fear Your power, it is because I recognize my weakness in Your presence. Then, I glorify Your name because You continue to visit Your people. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, Holy Bible, King James Version)
Christmas is an exciting time of anticipation. Waiting for family or guests to arrive. Waiting for the perfect time to open gifts. Waiting for dinner to be served. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Imagine hearing this prophecy during Isaiah’s time. What great rejoicing from God’s people that they would be rescued from despair. They waited a week. A month. A year. Ten years, then fifty. One hundred years later, still no savior. It was a long wait.
One day, more than 700 years later, the prophecy became reality when Jesus was born. It was worth the wait.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for fulfilling this promise of a savior, not just for the ancients, but for us now. You are Savior of the world. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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
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