Devotionals

TV evangelists are plentiful and many of them preach and teach what is termed, the Prosperity Gospel. I’m not sure how you would define this theological approach, but let’s set it out in an easy to understand way. The Prosperity Gospel flows from protestant Christianity and teaches faith, positive-thinking with affirmations, as well as financial contributions to a religious institution will provide the believer with divine health, financial wealth/material gain, and endless joy as signs of God’s favor and will. Yet, according to Scripture, prosperity is a spiritual process of well-being that requires endurance—comes from producing the Fruit of the Spirit—based on a personal choice to honor the covenant, receiving God’s blessing in order to be a blessing to others, and to be a source of generosity.

Prosperity is for the work of the Kingdom, trusting God to provide for our needs, and really has nothing to do with lining our own pockets with bigger and better material wealth. To think God will spare us of everything difficult in a fallen world while making us rich seems like foolishness. Quite frankly, I do not see in Scripture a promise if I do those things as listed above, I will never face difficult or hard things. Nor, do I see favor (grace) being given to make my life easy or me wealthy apart from a divine purpose. Grace and faith are given to motivate me and help me follow the Lord and fulfill his call on my life by spending time in his Word and obeying what the Spirit initiates in my heart. The same is true for you!

In our passage today from Proverbs Chapter 3, we see Solomon understands the power of motivation. Solomon seeks to motivate his son to live by the covenant Israel made with God. The odd numbered verses reveal the obligations needed for humans to make in the covenant and the even numbered verses reveal the obligations of God. This is the harmony we can know with God called “regeneration.” When the teachings of God become internalized and ‘written’ on our hearts; we can obey the Word of God. For this to take place, we must trust God more than we trust ourselves. If we demand autonomy, we will self-destruct, because we do not have Wisdom without following Christ. He is our Treasure. Only Christ can reverse the curse of sin. Suffering is a part of the regeneration process (2 Tim 3:12).

This leads us to consider the work of God’s discipline that does two things: rids believers of sin, as well as works to produce maturity (Wisdom) in the lives of his children. Truly, even discipline [suffering] can prepare us for great things in the future and make us the kind of people who please the Father. Faith is the key to obedience and trust will serve us by helping us to become more like our Lord.

Proverbs 3:1-25 NLT Trusting in the Lord
1
My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
2 
If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.
3 
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
4 
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
    and you will earn a good reputation.
5 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.
7 
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.
9 
Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
    and your vats will overflow with good wine.
11 
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
    just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
13 
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding.
14 
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
    and her wages are better than gold.
15 
Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 
She offers you long life in her right hand,
    and riches and honor in her left.
17 
She will guide you down delightful paths;
    all her ways are satisfying.
18 
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.
19 
By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
    by understanding he created the heavens.
20 
By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
    and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21 
My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
22 
for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 
They keep you safe on your way,
    and your feet will not stumble.
24 
You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 
You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
    or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 
for the Lord is your security.
    He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
    when it’s in your power to help them.
28 
If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
    “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29 
Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
    for those who live nearby trust you.
30 
Don’t pick a fight without reason,
    when no one has done you harm.
31 
Don’t envy violent people
    or copy their ways.
32 
Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
    but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33 
The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 
The Lord mocks the mockers
    but is gracious to the humble.
35 
The wise inherit honor,
    but fools are put to shame!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Wisdom that leads us into eternal life. May we gain a new perspective of how you would have us live in this fallen world. We need the peace of mind only Wisdom can bring to our lives. Continue to take us forward in the regeneration process and discipline us in your love as you see fit. We need your Word written on our hearts and the power of the Spirit to help us live in obedient harmony with you and may Wisdom teach us how to treat others with your love. We are blessed to be a blessing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What does it mean to be a worshiper? The Book of Proverbs will be teaching us for the next month. We need to be able to answer that question, because from the beginning of time it has been God’s mission to make human beings in the image of Christ—a speaking spirit and a true worshiper of God. So, to be a worshiper is to be Christ-centered in our nature and character. Essentially, we live like Christ.

Since the Word of God is brought to life by the Spirit, we need to make sure we are focused on and looking for the revelation of Christ in our readings, because in them we will see the heart of our worship Leader—the Christ. Therefore, a relationship with Christ is the Way to Wisdom and as we trust him we will learn how to navigate our lives.

Since we are looking for Christ and not just practical tips for living, the Bible is the focus of our study. We are looking to grow in our relationship with God; so we need to prepare ourselves by being willing to dig deeper beyond what we think we already know about God. Worshipers are interested in restoring harmony with God and that means we gain a hunger for the transformation he alone can perform.

In our passage from yesterday, we stopped with verse 7, but I hope you kept reading the whole chapter. If not, please do so today, before moving on. The pulse of vv. 8-33 is to draw attention to the two paths in life: 1) a wise (righteous) path, and 2) a foolish (evil) path.

Solomon teaches his son to follow the righteous path, because the evil way is a path of violence and robbery which destroys life and separates a person from God’s presence. Stealing is a sin. A greedy spirit is sinful. Evil people will suffer the consequences of their sin; reap what has been sown. So, repentance is key! Wise people want to please God and know he will protect and guide them to good things.

In our passage today, we will look at Chapter 2. Jesus is the only one who can rescue and save us from living foolishly. Sometimes it looks like foolish people are getting ahead, but God’s Word teaches us the Lord will turn the tables. Wisdom is a Person—Jesus—so we need to accept him as the Wisdom of God.

Jesus has promised to be our Shepherd and Guide, so listening is wisdom when it comes to forming a relationship with Christ. The Lord is not trying to withhold good things from us; instead, he is seeking to protect us from the things he knows will destroy us or lead us away from God. The Spirit is the Voice of Truth, so we need to listen and allow ourselves to receive instruction and even correction. It all happens by faith and choice—a gift to receive and fear or respect for God’s ways.

Human flesh has a voice and tries to direct individual lives, as well. So, Solomon exhorts his son to commit his way to Wisdom—Christ. Solomon knows moral failure and the power of temptation, so he wants more for his son. Satan is a thief and he is behind every act of evil.

Proverbs 2:1-22 NLT Moral Benefits of Wisdom
1 
My son, if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
2 
turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding—
3 
indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
4 
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
6 
For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 
He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 
for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 
Then you will understand what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
10 
For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 
Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.
12 
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse,
13 
who have left the straight paths
    to walk in dark ways,
14 
who delight in doing wrong
    and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 
whose paths are crooked
    and who are devious in their ways.
16 
Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 
who has left the partner of her youth
    and ignored the covenant she made before God.
18 
Surely her house leads down to death
    and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 
None who go to her return
    or attain the paths of life.
20 
Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
    and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 
For the upright will live in the land,
    and the blameless will remain in it;
22 
but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
    and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

Prayer: Lord, we have all been foolish; so, thank you for Jesus who makes it possible for us to be forgiven, as well as to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. We know turning toward Wisdom is trusting the Spirit to transform us and help us follow your covenant commands of love. Our moral behavior and choices matter to our relationship with you. We need to live like Jesus who as a Son listened to his Father. If we find ourselves trying to justify our sin, Lord, we know we have not been listening to Wisdom. It is clear if we reject Wisdom, we reject the Lord Yahweh. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sometimes I find myself reading sentences in the biblical text that are so packed full of truth, it is difficult to parse them in order to gain all the Wisdom made available. However, that is not the case when reading Solomon’s Book of Proverbs—these are statements or truths that also provide applicable practical instructions for living in God’s Wisdom. Remember, according to Scripture, Christ has been made Wisdom for believers, so Solomon is essentially referring to obeying the Lord—the Living Word (1 Cor 1:30).

The Wisdom literature was written and encouraged to be passed on from one generation to another—by being practical living examples—so people would not lose their fear of the Lord [respect and awe for God]. Solomon wanted the youth to know that living righteously was possible, but a person needs the Wisdom of the Lord as a Helper. Wisdom is revealed by how we live.

In our passage today, Solomon begins his Wisdom writings by telling the reader the purpose of them—to embrace humility and understand the knowledge of God. As well, Solomon reveals to whom they are addressed—both the simple and wise need to surrender in complete dependence upon God. We cannot know about life and ourselves, without knowing the Giver of life and the Creator who made us in his image. Proverbs teaches how to successfully navigate life with God. We are never too simple or too wise to learn from the Lord.

We can grow in Wisdom every single day. We do not need to walk in darkness, because a great Light [Revelation] has come to lead the Way. Solomon did receive great wisdom and understanding, but Jesus himself said Someone greater than Solomon was among humanity—Christ himself.

Let’s define Wisdom as basically choosing to apply the Truth of God’s Word to our lives. With this being said, we are invited to read the Book of Proverbs once a month; there are approximately thirty-one chapters, so a chapter a day is doable. Wisdom is personified as a woman, but that does not change the relevance of the passages for all human life. Proverbs will grow us in the righteous character and integrity of God which should be our goal for 2025. So, keep on reading…I’ll be reading with you!

Proverbs 1:1-7 NLT The Purpose of Proverbs
1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
    to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
    to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 
These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
    knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
    Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Wisdom we can gain as we read the Book of Proverbs. We take this time to thank you for Christ who is Wisdom incarnate and who now lives in our hearts. In Christ, lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so we can live meaningful and successful lives in obedience to him. Help us to make a commitment to read, study, and look for the growth of wisdom in our souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I received a variety of thoughtful gifts for Christmas and I want to say, “Thank you for blessing me!” Some of the gifts are edible and I am probably enjoying them a little too much! Some gifts are more practical in nature and I have found and continue to find more ways to enjoy and utilize each beautiful item. Some gifts are just fun—make me smile—and remind me of who I am as God’s daughter and provide ways to enjoy my days in our temporary home. Finally, some of these wonderful gifts bring with them a sense of expectation and challenge for the future; I always enjoy looking ahead. For example, a dear sister-in-Christ gave me a 2025 flip calendar—Church Signs to Help You on Your Way—which I enjoy, because I find these little sayings so fresh and encouraging. In fact, I have enjoyed reading farther into the year, because these little short sayings provide a unique perspective! Therefore, I will begin by sharing today’s “sign” (New Year’s Day) to encourage us all: “Before us lay 365 days = 365 new chances!” In Scripture, the word chance is associated with the word opportunity and a way to see how one event flows into another in the goodness of God and being at the right place in our souls at the right time. So, pray for opportunity and pray for oneness with God this year.

As we enter the new year of 2025, let’s remember God has planned out our lives and has positioned us to see his goodness. Now, of course, we are not able to see his goodness in everything we face when challenges stare us in the face, but if we will spiritually press on and endure, we will gain a much bigger perspective of God’s love for us. Each day is a chance or opportunity to see God do some of his best work. Although it may be tempting to get caught up in the “task or work” of the day, let’s not allow that to navigate our lives in such a way that we forget to enjoy our moments. My goal for 2025 is to recognize and enjoy something really good each day (an indescribable awareness of God) as I live in Christ. Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10).

No one understood what was meaningless like King Solomon. In our passage today, this king who was given divine Wisdom has made his way to a great Truth: the Lord is the only One who can bring meaning and satisfaction to life. We cannot find eternal meaning or satisfaction in life if we are not looking for the goodness of God that has been extended to believers in Christ’s work of salvation. We all want to serve our Lord, but we can do that in many ways. Jesus came to bring us genuine life; and he wants us to enjoy it! If we will feed on God’s Word, we will learn how to eat, drink, grow in, and enjoy the Truth he provides. We will see each day as a gift from God and with each twenty-four hour period, we have choices to be made in order to experience a rich and satisfying life.

So, this year, look at each day and say, “Show me your goodness, today, Lord, so I may proclaim your love and live in a way that brings you glory, as well as increases your kingdom on earth!” To enjoy life is to live it in continual fellowship with our Shepherd! It is time to stop wandering and follow the Shepherd!

January 1, 2025

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 A Time for Everything
1 
For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.
2 
A time to be born and a time to die.
    A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 
A time to kill and a time to heal.
    A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
    A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
    A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
    A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 
A time to tear and a time to mend.
    A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 
A time to love and a time to hate.
    A time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

Prayer: Lord, we ask for you to lead and guide us in this new year onto the paths of righteous living. May we become beacons of love and grace that attract others to you. Holy Spirit, you are the only One who can make this happen within and through us, so help us glorify our beautiful Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In this world, we will always reveal a mark on our lives: 1) The mark of the Spirit or 2) The mark of the world. We determine that mark by how well we take charge of our hearts—the central core of our being—mind, will, and emotions. If we surrender to the work of Christ on the cross and follow his Word, we will treasure the eternal life and wisdom we have been given in the Spirit and align to produce the fruit of God’s pure love. If we resist the work of Christ and live for the desires of our flesh—the world’s temporary and selfish dainties—anything we accomplish that is not of the Spirit will perish right along with us.

The mark of a mature Christian is made certain by how we discern what is right and what is wrong according to God’s Word. Our decisions matter to eternity, so we are wise to understand godly decisions from ungodly ones. An immature Christian looks for ways to satisfy the flesh or fulfill only the Word of God that is self-serving or easy to honor. A mature Christian is satisfied by Christ and so whatever he or she has or does not have is enough. The life goal is always to please the Father, through the Son, by following the Spirit. If God says something must go—does not please or honor him—the mature believer says, “Yes, Lord,” while the immature believer says, “Yes, but…”

In our passage today, King Solomon has an encounter with God through a dream. For a while, he has watched and learned from the life of his father, David, and he has caught some Truth from that vantage point. Solomon is young and he knows God must equip him if he is going to lead the chosen people. So, he asks for Wisdom which pleases God. This is a very mature request for such a young man. Sadly, when Solomon begins to rule in Wisdom, as well as gain favor and riches, his head is turned toward fulfilling his flesh and worshiping other gods. Due to this failure, Solomon wrote in the Wisdom literature so we could learn, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Pro 4:23).

May God grant you a Happy New Year filled with abundant grace that produces the gift of wisdom and the fruit of divine love. Blessings!

1 Kings 3:5-14 NLT
5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

6 Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.

7 “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. 8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— 12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for leaving us with the gift of wisdom so we can discern the difference between right and wrong—good and evil. It is our desire to please you and to live in a way that prospers our spirits, souls, and eternal life. Holy Spirit, help us to gain spiritual maturity in the year to come. Help us to live for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus’s warning about the end times is recorded within the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 2, and His warning is known as the Olivet Discourse or Prophecy. It was a conversation that Jesus had with Peter, James, John, and Andrew on the Mount of Olives just three days before His crucifixion. The location of their discussion plays a crucial historic and prophetic role, as Jesus left earth from this location after He appeared to His disciples for 40 days in His resurrected state (Acts 1:1-3, 9, 12) and He will return to the Mount of Olives when He comes again to rule the earth (Zechariah 14:1-4).

If you and I were present with Peter, James, John, and Andrew during their conversation with Jesus, and He answered questions about the temple, Jerusalem, and end times, image how we would have felt listening to Jesus foretell about the future. Keep in mind, we would have experienced His ministry as you and I had followed Him and witnessed His miracles firsthand. We would have known without a shadow of a doubt that we were disciples of the Messiah. This conversation would have meant even more in three days’ time when you and I witnessed the fulfillment of the prophesies and Jesus’s Word that He spoke to us when He said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

Friends, you and I are blessed without having seen Jesus and because we believe His Word by faith. (John 20:29) As we prepare to enter into a new year, we need to remember that God is a good Father Who seeks to rescue His children (believers) during every moment, good and bad. All He asks is that we allow Him to abide within us. We must let the Holy Spirit guide our hearts and illuminate Christ’s Spirit within our lives. We want to be prepared when Jesus returns. Jesus made sure to provide us with the best set of instructions (His Word) and His walking life was, is, and will forever be our example of how we are called to live today, tomorrow, and the remainder of 2025 and the rest of our walking lives.

Remain in close relationship with Jesus this year and dig deep into His Word each any every day so you are not sleeping, but watching for Him, and prepared for His returns. Blessings for your 2025!

Mark 13:32-37 (NLT)

32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your Word that is our guide, that brings us closer to You, and that prepares us for Your return. Help each of us to grow even closer to You this new year. Holy Spirit, we do not want to be sleeping, we want You to radiate within us and out through us. Guide us each day with Your wisdom and fill us to overflow with Your fruits so that as we produce more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control we are receiving those fruits back in blessings. We love You, Jesus, and we look forward to seeing what You have planned for 2025. In Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

The Bible—the Word of God—reveals so many miracles within its pages, because nothing is impossible with God if people will believe [Mk 9:23]. Miracles display the love and power of God over even the natural order of things, because God compassionately responds to human need. God created the human race, so he is most certainly going to care for us.  

Today, please consider three of God’s greatest miracles he performed for the purpose of meeting human need if we will believe: 1) The Word of God miraculously came down from heaven and became human—in the form of a humble baby—to show humanity the Way we were originally created to live in the world; 2) The Word of God humbly laid down his physical life of holy Truth in exchange for our human life filled with sin [rebellion against God] in order to be the powerful and redeeming Door of Hope for the believer’s eternal life and future miraculous resurrection from the dead; and 3) The Word of God is the new miraculous Life imparted to believers and empowered by the Holy Spirit so we can now live the Truth in the midst of a world filled with sin [Jo 10:7, 14:6].

This is the miracle of Christmas:  The Lord of Love has been born as a Gift to humanity. The Lord of Love came with the purpose of being the Savior for humanity. The Lord of Love now offers humanity new life—eternal life—that is filled with His perfect presence.  Believers now live with the anticipation that at any moment the divine life and activity of God may be revealed through and around us. Let the Word open your spiritual eyes and ears and shine the love of Christ! Merry Christmas!

John 1:1-4 NLT Christ, the Eternal Word
1 
In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 
He existed in the beginning with God.
3 
God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the love Gift of your Son, the Savior, for your human creation. Now we can live with your indwelling Presence leading and guiding us toward your righteous character and holy nature. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

NOTE: I will be taking a break from writing the devotionals, but will start back up New Year’s Day. Love to all! Merry Christmas!

Our passages today take us throughout the Bible and reveal the Good News about the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ – Immanuel, Who is God with us. We see that the prophets, in the Old Testament foretold about the Child Who would come to rule as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The psalmists wrote about the Lord and sang praises to Him and proclaimed the Good News of His saving love. The Apostle Luke, in the New Testament, documented the story of the Baby born in the manger. His account aligns with what the prophet Isaiah foretold 700 years before Jesus’s birth. Luke’s writing allows us to step into each person’s position within the story. We witness how Jesus is their Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, just as He is for each one of us. As this Advent week of Love guides us to focus on the birth of the One Who is Love, Jesus, we cannot forget what the Apostle Paul instructed. The Baby, Who we celebrate His birth this Christmas season, is the One Who brought us salvation, and He is the same One Who will return for His Church. We reside in this evil world, but live by His wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, as we reveal His Love to the world, and until He returns for us, His Church.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT)

6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!

Psalm 96:1-2 (NLT)

1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Luke 2:1-20 (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for coming into this dark world to save us. Help us to share your love into this world. Holy Spirit, open doors for each of us to connect with people who need You. We praise You, Jesus, for being our Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Guide our hearts to love as You love. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

During yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Mary helped us to remember that Love is not simply a four-letter word, Love represents Jesus. Today’s passage from the Apostle Paul continues to guide us to further understand that Love, Who is Jesus, is the supreme visible representation of the invisible God. Paul is stretching the Colossians’ perception of God, and the Holy Spirit is seeking to use today’s Word to stretch each of our perceptions of God.

Within the next 48 hours, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus, Who lovingly came to earth to reconcile everything to Himself. God made peace with everything in heaven and on earth through the ultimate sacrifice of pure love that Christ made on the cross.

If you and I truly believe that Jesus’s sacrifice is our greatest gift, then His love should fill our hearts each and every day, and we should want to share this gift with others. There is no greater gift than the gift of God’s love. Not one of us deserves it, but He graciously lavishes us with it, and His love is available to everyone.

Each one of us is an essential part of the Body of Christ, His Church; and Paul reminds us that Jesus is the Head of the Church. Consider how lost we would be without our head. Jesus is the Head because He is all wisdom, all knowledge, and He knows the loving plans that He has for His Church. As the Body, you and I need to love Jesus and love one another like Jesus loves each of us so that we can come into agreement with His glorious plans for His Church. As Paul clearly reminds us, Christ is Supreme over absolutely everything.

Colossians 1:15-20 (NLT)

Christ Is Supreme

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Prayer: Jesus, please forgive me for minimizing Your love at times. Help me to make You and Your love the foundation of each day. Quicken my heart to know when I am not representing Your love. Thank You for coming into this world to save me. Your loving sacrifice is my greatest gift. Holy Spirit, please guide me to share Your love today with others. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

During this Advent season, we have explored in greater detail some beautiful Gifts that have been deposited within us because of the incarnation, death, and resurrection of the Christ. We have Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love when we connect to Christ. According to Scripture, the greatest Gift given to humanity is God’s LOVE.

Salvation is a Gift that comes by the grace of God, but we must believe in Christ’s abundant and perfect Love to rescue us (Eph 2:8). God is Love and his Love is central to the work of salvation—the Good News or Gospel. Believers are those who have received Love’s rescue of eternal life. Christ delivered us from sin and death and now we live by faith in that pure Love to help us become like Jesus.

Becoming can be tough. The challenges before us are always an attack on faith and our choice to Love God through “the difficulties,” as well as Love those who are “the difficult.” But, fear not, because God makes his Love possible. Our part is to make the choice. It is God’s Love that energizes our faith and gives us direction and patient endurance for living in the likeness of Jesus.

In the New Testament, God’s Love in Greek is agapao: unconditional and preferential Love that is activated by a choice of the will. It is not based on natural emotion or given to the deserving. We are to be filled with agape for everyone; it is the mark of the Spirit on the physical temple of genuine believers. Agape is Love that seeks the good and well-being of others; a Love we have chosen to receive and share. Jesus is our example of agape and everyone born of God allows his Love to fill and flow by FAITH.

We are rapidly heading toward the celebration of Christmas and Hanukah. Christ is the Light of God’s Love who shines the Truth of God in the darkness of the world and reveals the way to his heart and presence. Let God’s agape for you fill and overwhelm you with his goodness and grace. Receive the Spirit of Christ as you think about Christmas and choose to walk in God’s Love each day. You will be making a journey of Hope, Peace, and Joy in the Love of God for YOU!

1 John 3:16-18 NLT 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the Gift of Love to fill our hearts. We confess our barrenness and brokenness to reveal agape apart from you. Our hearts are open to the ways you desire to rescue us and we rejoice in the fulness of your Loving Presence. May you be glorified in our understanding and in our obedience. In Jesus’ name. Amen.