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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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Devotions

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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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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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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No Greater Love

2 Mins Read

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

When we think of the attributes that Jesus manifested to the world, the first one that comes to mind is love. It was love that caused Him to come down to earth to redeem sinful man. Love caused Him to weep at the grave of Lazarus; love caused Him to reach out to the sick, the lame, and the blind that He came in contact with. His whole life radiated love.

We meet up with many different people in this world; some are easy to love and others are not so easy. But as followers of Jesus, we are commanded to show love to all. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus showed us that everyone is our neighbour, and that we are to love them as we love ourselves. When the love of God fills our heart and becomes the most important thing in our lives, it will overflow to those we come in contact with, and they will see Jesus in us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with your love today, and let everyone we meet see that love, and know that it comes from you.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Who do they see?

2 Mins Read

John 12:21 “The same came therefore to Philip…..and desired him, saying, ‘Sir, we would see Jesus.’”

When Philip and Andrew went to Jesus with this request, He began to speak about His coming death. In Verse 24, He said “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

He was telling them that He be would be leaving them, but they would be left here on earth to represent Him. When He was no longer with them in flesh, they would be His witnesses. They were to manifest the same Spirit as Christ to the world. On the Day of Pentecost, they were given the power they needed to accomplish this.

There is a Gospel song that asks the question, “When the world looks at me, do they see Jesus?” This is a question that we need to ask ourselves every day. The world needs Jesus, and as followers of Him, our lives should mirror His likeness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please examine my heart today, and help me to live this day so that anyone I come in contact with will see Jesus in me, and desire to know Him.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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