“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:30–32, NIV. God gave…
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Romans 4:20-21 KJV
God chose Abraham to be the beginning of the Israelite nation, from which would eventually come the Messiah, who would not only redeem the Israelites but also those from all nations of the world. He was told to leave his country and journey to a place he had never seen before.
Abraham did not have the Scriptures to read about all the miracles God had performed for His people. He did not have other believers to tell him of the great things that God had done in their lives and what could be accomplished by faith.
But He knew God had spoken to him and given him a promise, so he stepped out boldly in faith, fully persuaded that God would lead and direct him and fulfill the promises he had been given.
Today, we have the Bible, many stories of God’s wondrous works and also the testimonies of fellow believers. How much more should we step out in faith, trusting God to answer our prayers, meet our every need and perform miracles on our behalf.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, our faith is often weak when we compare it to Abraham’s. Help us to trust you and be obedient to Your voice.
Devotion by: Anne Johnston
“Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do men say that I am?’ So they answered, ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” (Mark 8:27-29, Holy Bible, New King James).
Opinion surveys are effective in local issues. Online surveys assess consumer habits. Instructors distribute printed surveys at the close of workshops and seminars to determine if the experience met the teacher’s expectations. When Jesus asked for public opinion, His disciples replied with a variety of responses. When Jesus asked for personal understanding, Peter had the correct answer, “You are the Christ.”
Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for asking me this same question. Like Peter, I know You are the Messiah. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“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!
- “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do men say that I am?’ So they answered, ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’ ” (Mark 8:27-29, Holy Bible, New King James).
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Opinion surveys are effective in local issues. Online surveys assess consumer habits. Instructors distribute printed surveys at the close of workshops and seminars to determine if the experience met the teacher’s expectations. When Jesus asked for public opinion, His disciples replied with a variety of responses. When Jesus asked for personal understanding, Peter had the correct answer, “You are the Christ.”
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Prayer :Thank You, Lord Jesus, for asking me this same question. Like Peter, I know You are the Messiah. Amen.
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Devotion by Violet Carr Moore