Today's Daily Devotion

Today's Devotion is brought to you by Prayer Team member Bobbi Heffel

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Matthew 2

 ¹NOW WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [astrologers] from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, ²Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him.    
Amplified Bible (AMP) biblegateway.com

I just love this time of year. There are twinkly lights and bright stars everywhere. They add so much beauty to what would really be a dark time of year. There is a restaurant I like to go to that has an old oak tree out front. The owners have put tables around under the tree. During the day it is a great place to sit and have lunch. But when dark comes and the white twinkly lights are turned on, that tree goes from just being a place out of the sun to magically romantic. 

I don’t imagine that the wisemen saw the star of Christ as magically romantic. It was something deeper than that. It was the excitement of the fulfillment of a promise long ago, for a promised king, a deliverer. This was the arrival of someone worthy of a long dusty travel and extravagant gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Yes, to see the beauty of the Christmas stars and know the story behind them is moving. But to personally know the savior that these lights represent is … ever growing. The more I learn about Him, the more I find there is to learn. I thought I knew how much he loved me; he stretched out his arms and died for me. But I learned that he loves me even more. I thought I knew that he would forgive me. But I am still learning how far the east is from the west. I thought I knew his grace was sufficient. Yet, I sometimes find myself holding on to things wondering how he could love me after this. How does his grace cover all the times we are in an impossible situation and doubt that he will come through? Yes, the more I know about him, the more there is to learn. With each discovery, I think those Christmas lights get just a bit brighter and twinkle-er.

Today’s Prayer

Lord, I thank you for this special time of the year we set aside to remember the birth of our savior. I know there are winter celebrations that have nothing to do with you. There is always an emptiness to them.  They are nothing to compare with the celebration of you. Help us to refrain from the commercial race of emptying our bank accounts in the attempt to celebrate your birth. With you there is a filling. You fill us with love, joy, hope, celebration, life and peace.  Help us to give wisely in accordance with your will. Please give us creative ways and opportunities to share with others.  Help us to share the love, joy, hope, celebration, life and peace you give with them. After all, the best gift that ever was or ever could be has already been given. There is no topping you! 

Today's Daily Devotion

Today's Devotion is brought to you by prayer team member Bobbi Heffel

From Trial to Triumph

Luke 23:26-43

The Crucifixion

 ²⁶ As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ²⁸ Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰ Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

   ³¹ For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

 ³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

 ³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

 ³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

 ³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 ³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

 ⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

 ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

 ⁴³ Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

John 19:25-27

Behold Your Mother

 ²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Matthew 27:45-50

The Death of Jesus

 ⁴⁵ From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi    lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 ⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

 ⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

 ⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 

Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation that is out of control, unbearable, painful.  Sometimes we feel beat down and ready to give up. We have been hanging on to the last knot in our rope and Friday just won’t get here soon enough. What do we do? How do we go on? 

We follow the example of Jesus. The pain he endured on the cross was unbearable but he knew the Father had a purpose in it. Jesus endured the pain while still thinking of his mother’s needs and making arrangements for her future needs. He had physically been beaten to beyond recognition yet he didn’t hold malice toward the ones who attacked him. Better yet, he asked for forgiveness for the ones that had abused him. While hanging on to humanity and the life left in his body he never called upon the armies of angles at his disposal to rescue him. He lived out that situation knowing that was what he was born for and, that there was a great purpose in it. 

Whatever you are going through God is there with you in the midst of it. As out of control as it seems, he knows about it and he is in control of it. He will use it to refine you and bring you closer to him, if you allow him to. Remember that you aren’t the only one hurting. Reach out to others and help them however you can. Forgive the ones that have hurt you and are currently hurting you. Hang on until God tells you otherwise. We don’t always know why he created us, the task he has for us, or the prosperity he has for us around the next corner. We do know he loves us and we can trust him. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:10-12)

Today’s Prayer

Father, here we are at the holiday season. Everything is decked out for Christmas and everywhere we look hearts and faces are aglow. As wonderful as this time of the year is it can leave us feeling lonely and filled with pain. Lord I pray for those of us who need your loving touch, a fresh filling of your joy, that we would experience your presence anew. Lord, take these things that grab us, hold us or bind us and put them in perspective so that we may leave them at your feet. Holy is you name! You are worthy to receive all glory, power and honor! Thank you for all you have done on our behalf and all you are still doing. Merry Christmas! We love you too! Amen

All scripture used today is from the New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) http://www.biblegateway.com/

Today's Daily Devotional

Today's Devotion is brought to you by Dream Team member Bobbi Heffel

Luke 1:46-55

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) biblegateway.com

Mary’s Song

 ⁴⁶ And Mary said:

  “My soul glorifies the Lord
 ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
 ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   even as he said to our fathers.”

Mary had such insight in to who God was and how He was blessing her but, she didn’t understand everything. I wonder about some of the insights she had. What were they? How much did she truly understand? What would it be like to raise the son of God?

 In the same way, we knew who Christ was when we accepted him as our personal savior. We understood a desperate need for him and the forgiveness he held for us. We knew he loved us and gave his very life for our redemption.  Whatever insights we had, Christ far exceeds our expectations.  We gain a whole new understanding of forgiveness, love, sinfulness, grace, and mercy after we become his. The Christmas story takes on a new luster. It is a chapter in the greatest story ever told. I hope that this year you are able to embrace the full passion of Christmas and all that is means.

“Mary Did You Know” by Mark Lowry

Mary, did you know That your baby boy, would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know That your baby boy, would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know That your baby boy, has come to make you new? And this child that you delivered will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know That your baby boy, will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know That your baby boy, will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know That your baby boy, has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby you kissed the face of God?
Oh, Mary did you know
The blind will see The deaf will hear The dead will live again The lame will leap The dumb will speak And the praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know That your baby boy, is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know That your baby boy, will one day rule the nations?
Did you know That your baby boy, is Heaven's perfect Lamb? The sleeping child you're holding is the great I am

Today’s Prayer

Lord, Christmas season is upon us and my heart is soaring. Everywhere are reminders of you and all you have done.  Thank you that the hope of the world has come. May we sing and rejoice, giving all glory to you. May we never take for granted what you have done and may our passion for you never grow cold. Amen