Devotional Blog
How to defeat joy robbers!
As we get closer to Christmas Day celebrating the coming King Who will save people from their sins, we can let the stress of the season rob us of our joy!
Lk 2:10-11
But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
Let’s not forget the 2nd attribute of the Spirit’s fruit in our lives is joy (cf Gal 5:22) and its definition:
“Joy is a feeling of immense happiness and delight. It is a positive and uplifting emotion that brings a sense of contentment, fulfillment, and inner peace.”
Let’s defeat joy robbers by giving thanks in all circumstances!
1 Th 5:18a
Give thanks in all circumstances…
Let’s have the most joyous Christmas and give thanks even for the mundane because God’s glory is everywhere.
"If Eve would have listed all the things she was thankful for..."
“Our fall is always first a failure to give thanks” (Ann Voskamp).
I
can only imagine when Eve was tempted by the devil if instead of
reaching for the forbidden fruit, she would have listed all the things
she was thankful for.
Eve: “No satan, I will not doubt the
goodness of God. I’m thankful for His provision of delicious food and a
perfect climate. I’m thankful for the blue sunny sky and the moon and
starlit nights. I’m thankful for Adam who is always kind, giving, and
loving. Mostly I’m thankful that I’m made in my Father’s image and for
His deep love for me. So just leave devil and never come back.”
James 1:17
Every
good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the
heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Let’s
be thankful this Christmas. Let’s make a list of people, especially
relatives, and places, and things we are thankful for. Of course at the
top of the list, let’s thank God for the Cross and our salvation!
The Father’s gift: forgiveness and abundant life!
It’s
beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The houses and apartments are
decorated with lights and decorations. Amazon and UPS trucks are
seemingly everywhere. Wrapping paper and bows are a necessity.
But
we know Christmas is more than decorations and presents. It’s the time
we reflect on the Father’s gift of forever forgiveness and an abundant
life—now and for all eternity!
1 Jn 5:11
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Let’s bow down before God and give Him all the glory due Him. He is worthy of all our praise and adoration!
Rev 5:11-12
Then
I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon
bthousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the
throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they
sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Thank God for Jesus!
What has God done for you?
The
humble shepherds on the night Jesus was born were honored by an angelic
visitation announcing the arrival of the long awaited Messiah, the
Savior of the world.
Lk 2:13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Their reaction to this favor is an example for all of us. Not only did they go and see Jesus, they spread the word about Him.
Lk 2:16-18
So
they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying
in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning
what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were
amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
This Christmas let’s
follow the example of the humble shepherds and tell others about what
Jesus has done for us! Let’s tell about how we’ve been rescued and
changed for God’s glory.
The greatest ability is dependability.
Shepherds
have it tough. They have to endure all kinds of dangers with thieves and
wild animals, along with harsh weather. Shepherds must be faithful as
they guide, protect, feed, and dress the wounds of their sheep.
No wonder God decided to announce the birth of His Son first to shepherds!
Lk 2:8-11
And
there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch
over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and
the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But
the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of
great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a
Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Let’s be
found faithful first to God and then to each other. Let’s remember that
the greatest ability is dependability, and without faith we cannot
please God.
1 Cor 4:2
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
God's grace empowers humble people.
God loves the
humble and resists the proud. This contrast is frequently in Scripture.
Even the mother of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, inspirationally
speaks this truth known as Mary’s Song!
Lk 1:51
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
Being
proud in heart is an attitude that depends on self instead of God. It
says I can do life just fine without strictly obeying his ways of love
and faithfulness. It’s a way of life that will lead to heartache and
sorrow.
But being humble brings an abundant life. A humble
person depends on God for everything. As a result, God’s grace
empowers humble people. Their lives are filled with love, joy, peace,
and fulfillment.
Lk 1:52-53
He has brought down rulers from
their thrones but has lifted up the humble.He has filled the hungry with
good things but has sent the rich away empty.
In humility let’s worship our God and let’s expect a full life!
View all circumstances as chances to glorify God.
God’s ways are impossible to comprehend. He’s good all the time! He’s never not good.
Rom 11:33
Oh,
the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
God
is good even when we must do unpleasant things. Think of Mary at the
end of her pregnancy. She waddles as she walks. Her back hurts along
with other uncomfortable things experienced before birth. Joesph must
have winced when he heard they had to travel by donkey and foot to
Bethlehem to register for a census.
Lk 2:4
So Joseph also
went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the
town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
But
God orchestrated it. He moved among the prophets, choosing Bethlehem as
the birthplace of His only begotten Son (cf Micah 5:2, Jn 7:42).
Since we’re God’s beloved children, let’s view all circumstances as chances to glorify God. He’s perfect! He’s always good!
Peace be with you!
Sunday is the first day of the week. It’s often the main day followers of Christ set apart to assemble and to worship God.
It’s also the day after His triumph over sin, death, and hell: Jesus appeared to the disciples.
Jn 20:19
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
We gather as one with Jesus. It’s interesting that Jesus blessed them with peace. Peace is more than the absence of hostilities; it’s the comfort of knowing we are in right relationship with God. He’ll never leave us or forsake us, and our future is kept in heaven for us by the power of God.
1 Pt 1:4b-5a
…an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you…
The best Christmas gift is Jesus and His peace so let’s spread the Good News!
Jn 20:21
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Spend time with God.
John the Baptist had the most important job of preparing the way for the coming Messiah, the Son of God.
Lk 1:76
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.
His
mother understood this, and realizing his training ground would be the
lonely desert, spent 5 months of her pregnancy in seclusion.
Lk 1:24
After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.
The
lonely desert was the place John would be trained. He would solely
focus on his mission of preparing the way for Jesus and being taught by
the Spirit who filled him even in his mother’s womb.
Lk 1:80
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
It’s hard learning God’s ways with distractions. Even the learned Paul was taught in the desert (cf Gal 1:15-18).
Let’s plan to get away from distractions and spend time with God!
Thank God for second chances!
It’s
comforting and reassuring to know our God and Father gives us second
chances. Zechariah the father of John the Baptist is said along with his
wife Elizabeth to be upright in the sight of God, living blamelessly.
But during an incredible angelic visitation from Gabriel, his faith
lapsed and He doubted God’s messenger.
Lk 1:18
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
He
was disciplined by God and was mute until John was born. When he spoke
again, Zechariah provided a sign for John’s upcoming ministry to prepare
the way for Jesus.
As he spoke he was filled with the Spirit.
His words are recorded forever in Scripture. He was given a second
chance to glorify the Lord with his life. He said:
Lk 1:76
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him….
Thank God for second chances! Let’s believe every Word from God.
Not just by words, but also by deeds
What is love?
We have studied and written about love, described by Paul in 1
Corinthians 13. John, known as the beloved disciple, described love too.
1 Jn 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
God’s
love is the example for all of us. We want our love to be so strong, so
Christlike that we are willing to lay down our lives for each other.
Can
you imagine a people that are known for a love so great that the
ultimate sacrifice is not too great so others could know abundant life?
Jn 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
This
Christmas, with the Spirit’s help, let’s love not just with words but
with deeds. Our love for God and others can grow so strong we would be
willing to die for each other.
Jn 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
A view of eternity
As we
continue praising our God during this advent or “arrival” season, we
remember Jesus was born mainly for the purpose of dying on the cross for
our sins.
Mt 1:21
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
He also taught us how to live on earth as children of God and followers of Jesus.
1 Jn 3:1a,3
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
We look forward to our forever home which is built for us as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus!
2 Pt 3:14b
Since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Let’s
live with a view of eternity by following Jesus. Let’s remember that
this life is but a vapor and wisely build our forever home! Let’s long
to hear “Well done!”
From poverty to true wealth!
Often the
news lists the richest people on earth. Unfortunately following Jesus is
not their passion. Still compared to the splendor and majesty of Jesus
they are poor. Since we are co-heirs with Christ our eternal net worth
far exceeds theirs.
2 Cor 8:9
For you know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became
poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
This
Christmas let’s give Jesus the best gift we can—to love Him with all our
heart, soul, strength, and mind. To love our neighbor as we would want
to be loved. And to make disciples.
Let’s make the investment that will catapult us from poverty to true wealth. Let’s give our all to follow Him.
Lk 12:32-33b
“Do
not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give
you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
O come let us adore Him!Let’s give our heart totally to Jesus and live a truly rich life, a life of love.
God answers prayer.
Do you ever give up hope
that things will change? It can be discouraging to pray for people,
circumstances, or things to change for the better and nothing changes,
or they even get worse. Elizabeth must have felt that way. She had hoped
to be a mother and now she was elderly, past childbearing years.
Lk 1:13-14
But
the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has
been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give
him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many
will rejoice because of his birth.
Let’s not grow weary in doing
good. Let’s keep hoping when all hope seems lost. We are the children of
the God who does the impossible!
Lk 1:25
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
This
Christmas let’s remember God answers prayer. They may be delayed but He
is with us. He wants to bless and knows what’s best!