Martin Luther wrote, “Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.” At the end of every winter, we witness a miracle—life coming from death. Bare branches form green leaves, brown grass turns into a lovely meadow as spring blooms…
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, New King James Version). Many of us are very uncomfortable in talking about our mortality. Deep inside we know we have a limited number of days on earth, but we prefer to go through…
The Bible declares in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Nobody is exempt from the fatal effects of sin. It not only separates us from a relationship with God but it keeps us from restoring that relationship on our own. Sin will keep…
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). There are several “no mores” in this chapter. John (the writer of Revelation) had been banished to the Isle of Patmos. The island was a lonely place to be as no visitors toured Patmos. Quiet time was all the time for John. Historical accounts indicate that the city of Ephesus was visible from the island. No doubt as he sat looking across to Ephesus, night was approaching and he could see the skyline of the city. In his mind he couldn’t help but think of the church located just a few streets from the waters edge. John knew it would soon be church time and only wished he could be in attendance. But one of these days, he wrote, there would be “no more sea” – no more division between him and where he wanted to be.
Prayer: At the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the division between us and those we love will be no more. It’s a hard thing to be separated from those who have departed from this life, but what a hope we have one day to be reunited!
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 Last week I learned of the passing of a dear sister-in-law, a great friend for many years. She has been in a nursing home but was very content there. The last time I saw her,…
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
The Bible declares in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Nobody is exempt from the fatal effects of sin. It not only separates us from a relationship with God but it keeps us from restoring that relationship on our own. Sin will keep us from understanding God; it will keep us from seeking God and it will keep us from fearing God. The consequence of sin is eternal separation from a holy God. So, is there any hope? Oh, yes! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The mercy of God is calling to all who will recognize their need for a Savior and turn to Him. God will forgive their sin and heal their soul so they can start to relate to Him as He originally intended. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (II Corinthians 5:19). The cross put to death our old, sinful life destined for an eternity without God and the resurrection gave us a brand new life with power over sin and an eternity with God!
Prayer: My sin had sentenced me to death, but O, how You loved me! The results of sin were so serious that You wrapped Yourself in flesh and came to earth to die a cruel death in my place. I was without hope and eternally lost, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were afar off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Thank You for such amazing, sacrificial love!
Devotion by Julie Long