December 25, 2013

Advent Devotional: Wednesday, December 25

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

 

Things to Consider While You Read:

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, write it out.

Observation: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now.

Prayer: Ask God to help you use this scripture. Pray for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

December 24, 2013

Advent Devotional: Tuesday, December 24

Luke 2:1-20

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

2 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Things to Consider While You Read:

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, write it out.

Observation: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now.

Prayer: Ask God to help you use this scripture. Pray for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

December 23, 2013

Unbelievable Love

God loves you.

strive4theprize's avatarOne Man's Quest

Advent 2013…Love: Psalm 89.1-4, 19-29

As I reflected on this passage, I was struck by the picture that the Bible paints of God’s amazing love…a love that truly does transcend both time and space, a love that is enduring. It is the perfect love of the Father. A love that pursues, a love that sacrifices, the Creator-of-the-Universe-enters-time-and-space-to-rescue-you kind of love.

I shared a tweet this past week, “My experience of God’s love is in direct proportion to my perception of my need for His love/mercy. He who has been forgiven much loves much.” Do you believe that God loves you? I think there are a few things that keep us from believing and/or experiencing the love that God has for us. The tweet hits on one of them. If I don’t recognize my desperate need to be rescued…to be brought from life to death, from captivity to sin to the…

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December 23, 2013

Advent Devotional: Monday, December 23

Exodus 34:4-10

4 So he cut out two stone tablets like the former ones, and Moses rose up early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and he took two stone tablets in his hand. 5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” 8 Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship. 9 He said, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though ]the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession.”

The Covenant Renewed

10 Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.

Things to Consider While You Read:

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, write it out.

Observation: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now.

Prayer: Ask God to help you use this scripture. Pray for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

December 21, 2013

Advent Devotional: Saturday, December 21

Psalm 89:1-4

The Lord’s Covenant with David, and Israel’s Afflictions.

I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth. 2 For I have said, “Lovingkindness will be built up forever; In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.” 3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant, 4 I will establish your seed forever And build up your throne to all generations.” Selah.

Psalm 89:19-26

19 Once You spoke in vision to Your godly ones, And said, “I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. 20 “I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21 With whom My hand will be established; My arm also will strengthen him. 22 “The enemy will not deceive him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23 “But I shall crush his adversaries before him, And strike those who hate him. 24 “My faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him, And in My name his horn will be exalted. 25 “I shall also set his hand on the sea And his right hand on the rivers. 26 “He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’

Things to Consider While You Read:

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, write it out.

Observation: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now.

Prayer: Ask God to help you use this scripture. Pray for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

December 20, 2013

Advent Devotional: Friday, December 20

Galatians 5:22

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Romans 15:13

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Things to Consider While You Read:

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, write it out.

Observation: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now.

Prayer: Ask God to help you use this scripture. Pray for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

December 19, 2013

Advent Devotional: Thursday, December 19

3 John 1:2-8

2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

Things to Consider While You Read:

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, write it out.

Observation: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now.

Prayer: Ask God to help you use this scripture. Pray for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

December 18, 2013

Advent Devotional: Wednesday, December 18

Proverbs 10:28

28 The hope of the righteous is gladness, But the expectation of the wicked perishes.

Proverbs 12:20

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

Proverbs 21:15

15 The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

 

Things to Consider While You Read:

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, write it out.

Observation: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now.

Prayer: Ask God to help you use this scripture. Pray for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

December 17, 2013

Advent Devotional: Tuesday, December 17

John 16:16-24

Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Foretold

16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. 21 Whenever a woman is in labor she has [a]pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a [b]child has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Prayer Promises

23 In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

Things to Consider While You Read:

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, write it out.

Observation: What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you.

Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now.

Prayer: Ask God to help you use this scripture. Pray for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

December 16, 2013

Unbelievable Joy

strive4theprize's avatarOne Man's Quest

Advent 2013…Joy: Isaiah 35.1-10

As I reflected this passage, I was struck by this overwhelming picture of great joy that Isaiah paints for us. It’s a joy that in many ways is incomprehensible where all of creation can’t help but shout over the salvation that the LORD brings. Nothing on earth can compare…sporting event, concert, celebration of any kind…all pale in comparison.

I shared a tweet this past week, “The pursuit of happiness is a far cry from the everlasting joy of the kingdom…only the latter truly satisfies the longing of our souls.” As the guys and I talked about the sermon, the question was asked, “What’s the difference between happiness and joy?” Great question. Happiness has a lot to do with circumstances. It tends to be more momentary, more fleeting. It’s rooted in the physical. That’s why the pursuit of happiness is a vain pursuit…it never lasts and is…

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