As an old year ends and a new one begins, we realize that we are getting older, and the time of our departure from this life grows closer. Over the past year, we have seen many friends and acquaintances pass on to be with the Lord. Every day is a bonus that the Lord has given us.
When we think about this, it is such a comfort to know the Lord is in complete control. Whenever He calls us home, we are ready for it. He has given us confidence and a hope that heaven awaits us. What joy it will be to see His face and spend eternity with Him.
Prayer: Lord, I give this day into your hands. Thank you for the hope you have given me.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
Today a lot of people will be making resolutions, planning to accomplish so much with their life in this new year. Statistics show us that most of them will be abandoned before many days have passed.
As followers of the Lord, our only resolution should be to draw closer to the Lord. From all the things that are happening in our world, we know that His coming draws very near. Our aim and goal is to be ready for His coming and to help and encourage others to be ready also.
Daily prayer and Bible reading are very important if we are stay close to the Lord and live the way He wants us to live. My son encourages his congregation to have “a slot and a spot” every day. Meeting the Lord in the same place at the same time helps us to maintain our relationship with Him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we know your coming is close and this could be the year you return. Help us to be ready and to help others to be ready also.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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.
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