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Devotions

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Devotions

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2 Holy Bible, King James Version).

A modern day expectant mother carefully selects the best and most convenient hospital or alternate facility for the birth of her child. Mary, the mother of Jesus was given no choice in her child’s birthplace. Her holy child would be born in Bethlehem far away from Nazareth, Joseph’s home, as prophesied. This single event would shine a spotlight on an obscure village for the whole world to see.

Prayer: Eternal God, tiny Bethlehem was destined to be the birthplace of Jesus. Nothing could change that because Your prophecies and promises are certain. This gives me great faith. You have known my future from the beginning and You are in control of events in my life, too. Amen.

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“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).

Isaiah was inspired to speak these names of the promised redeemer. This son captured the essence of Wonderful, Counsellor and Prince of Peace. Ultimately the world would recognize that this holy child was The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father. What a promise!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for the Old Testament prophet Isaiah who delivered the message You gave him. His words inspired hope for all who believed. Because of this prophecy, I can believe with the ancients that the Holy One has brought meaning to my life because He was God on earth. Thank You that You cared for me before I was born. Amen.

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“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 Holy Bible King James Version)

“Ridiculous,” some scoffed. “Impossible,” others said. How could a pure Jewish maiden, a virgin, birth a son called Immanuel? Wasn’t stoning was the punishment for immoral acts? This birth would be different. No immorality or sin would be involved. There would be no stoning; no punishment. This holy child, destined to be God with us, would condescend from heaven to earth, to reconcile the world to Himself.

Prayer: Dear God, I don’t know how strong my faith would have been in Isaiah’s time. This special sign, a holy child born to a virgin, seemed impossible, beyond human reasoning. Reading this from Your Word now, millenniums later, I see Your plan for my redemption from sin. Thank you for the faithful ones who could not see but believed and claimed your promise. Amen.

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“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children” (Galatians 4:4-5 in the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible).

Hundreds of years passed from the time when the birth of Jesus was foretold in Genesis 3:15 until the day that He was born in a manger at a Bethlehem stable. The people of God were reminded by prophets that the promised Messiah would come, but after so many long years of delay it is no wonder that many gave up hope. The Messiah did come. And when He came, He inaugurated a new era of freedom. We, who were hopelessly chained by sin, are now the adopted sons and daughters of God!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your plan to save mankind from the death sentence of sin was perfectly timed. Thank You for making it possible for me to have the same name, the same inheritance, and the same rights as a spiritually-born daughter of the King of Kings!

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“Do all things without grumbling, complaining and faultfinding…” (Philippians 2:14, Amplified Bible)

What does ALL THINGS mean? All we do. All things we say. All things we participate in. All things we are responsible for.

This verse could just as easily have said “Do your job without grumbling, pay your bills without complaining and raise your children without faultfinding.”

By not grumbling, we show God we accept the life He’s given us. By not complaining, thankfulness grows in us. By not faultfinding, we begin to see all that’s right in our world!

What ALL THINGS are on your list today? With God’s help you can do them with joy!

Prayer: God, forgive me for the many times I’m complained about ________________. Help me to see things as you see them. Fill my heart with thankfulness and joy in all I do today. Amen.

Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff

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How big is God?

“(God) has measured the oceans in the palm of his hand…(God) has used His hand to measure the sky…(God) has used a bowl to measure all the dust of the earth…” (Isaiah 40:12, New Century Version)

If He could hold a tsunami in the palm of His hand, If He could measure a tornado by the distance between His thumb and forefinger, if one of His serving bowls could hold all of the sand on earth, then I’d say God’s Big Enough.

Big Enough to pay your bills. Big Enough to heal your sickness. Big Enough to solve any problem in your life!

How big is God? Big Enough!

Prayer: God, I thank-you that You are bigger than all my problems. I praise You that You are Big Enough to meet all my needs.

Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff

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Imagine you are a contestant in a cosmic game show. The host provides the answer. The contestant must provide the appropriate question to that answer.

Contestant: “I’ll take Biblical Answers for $200.”
Host: “The answer is…God.”
Contestant: The question is…“Who knows how many hairs I have on my head?”
Host: Correct!

Contestant: “Biblical Answers for $300.”
Host: “The answer is…God.”
Contestant: The question is…“Who knows when I’m going to die?”
Host: Correct!

“Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father knowing it. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid, you are worth much more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31, New Century Version)

Prayer: God, I’m glad I don’t have to worry because whatever my question, YOU are the answer!!

Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff

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“Lord, You have examined me and know all about me. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know thoroughly everything I do. Lord, even before I say a word, You know it” Psalm 139: 1-4 New Century Version

Even when nobody else knows, God knows. When you’re hurting, God knows.

When you’re lonely, God knows. When you’re afraid, God knows.

God knows what you are going to say, before you say it.

He knows. He cares. He’s waiting right now for you to talk to Him. Share your heart with Him. Tell Him your dreams. Tell Him your fears. He understands how you feel. He wanted you to know that.

Prayer: All Knowing God, I’m glad you know all about me and love me anyway. Teach me to share my deepest feelings with You.

Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff

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Ever feel like you’ve turned your back on Jesus? The disciples did. READ: Matthew 26:56 from the Holy Bible, King James Version: “Then all the disciples forsook Him (Jesus) and fled.”

The disciples were twelve men that were chosen by Jesus. They went with Him everywhere. They saw him heal people. They saw Him walk on water. Jesus knew the disciples would flee when the soldiers came for Him. He also knew they would recover and preach salvation to the whole world. He waited for them to realize how much they needed Him. How very much He loved them. How, willing He was to welcome them back with open arms of love.

It is the same for you. Jesus knows you’ve failed Him. He also knows you will succeed in Him again one day. He’s waiting to welcome you back with open arms of love.

Prayer: Jesus, help me to forgive myself as easily as You forgive me. Thanks for loving me, no matter what!

Devotions by Debbie Simler-Goff

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