Marie’s Daily verse: The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees. PSALM 119:64

DAILY DEVOTION, December 27, 2022

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).

People often ask, “How can I know the will of God?” Paul gives us some words of wisdom, beginning with a negative. Do not conform to this world. If you are all caught up in the principles that govern this world, you will never know the will of God. This world is about self. What can I do to promote myself? How can I gain more prestige, money, power? John cautioned us not to fall in love with this world. If we do, we cut ourselves off from knowing the love of God (1 John 2:15). So, rule # 1 is to be a non-conformist if you want to know the will of God.

On the positive side, we are to renew our minds. We do that by filling our minds with the truths of Scripture and then practicing what we learn. The Word of God has the power to transform us, to change the way we think and live entirely. Those who adopt these two principles will increasingly know and understand the will of God. We need to ask ourselves; how much am I conforming to the world, and how much to the Word of God?

Heavenly Father, I must confess that sometimes I am more in conformity with the world than with Your Word. You have revealed to me how I may know Your will. May the Holy Spirit give me a growing love for Your Word. May your truth so fill my mind that I can see Your will more clearly. In Jesus’ blessed name, I pray, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

DAILY DEVOTION, December 26, 2022

Most of us have heard the verse from Proverbs 23:7, “As he thinks within himself, so he is.” The context is interesting. The setting has to do with a miser offering bread to eat. He tells you to eat and drink, but his heart is not with you. He speaks words of invitation, but he is insincere. His words say one thing, but his heart says something else. We are not always what our words convey. What we think in our hearts defines who we really are.

There is a children’s song most of us learned in Sunday School. “Be careful little eyes what you see . . . be careful little ears what you hear ….for the Father up above, He is looking down with love, so be careful little eyes what you see.” The adult version might add the line, “Be careful little mind what you think.”

Thoughts are like seeds, and like seeds, thoughts produce after their kind. We understand this principle in nature.  We know that corn seeds produce corn, and tomato seeds produce tomatoes.  We also must understand that sinful thoughts produce sinful behavior. Fearful thoughts produce a fearful person. Negative thoughts bring forth a negative person. People whose thoughts are predominantly happy and full of faith tend to be happy people. So be careful little mind what you think.

Father above, help me to keep my mind focused on You. Help me to root out all thoughts that are fearful and negative. I pray that faith in Jesus will be uppermost in my mind. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

DAILY DEVOTION, December 25, 2022

Today I celebrate my 86^th Christmas. I believe Christmas has grown in popularity over the centuries because Christians realize that the Messiah’s birth was the most important event in all of history. Was Jesus actually born on December 25^th? Probably not, but it doesn’t matter to me on what specific day Jesus was born.  It is enough for me to know that He was born and that He is the Savior of the world. Yes, some customs have grown up around Christmas which obscure the meaning of the day.  However, we Christians can see beyond and through all of that and celebrate Christmas as our Savior’s birthday. If ever a birth deserved celebration, it is the birth of the Messiah.  Yes, many are indifferent to Christmas, but as for me, I say LONG LIVE CHRISTMAS, and I wish all of you the merriest of Christmases.

Lord God, on this day of days, I thank You for the birth and life of Jesus. I thank You that His purpose in coming was to be our Savior. I need a Savior! I pray that our church family will draw closer to You on this special day. I pray in the name of Jesus, our Messiah, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: 

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12).
It is the wonderful season of Christmas. Marie’s verse informs us that a Savior has been born. I definitely need a Savior, do you? I have offended God more times, than I can count. Nevertheless He loves me and sent Jesus the Savior to atone for my sins and yours. Christmas is a time for us to renew our faith. How can we not serve Him wholeheartedly who has done everything for us? How thankful we are that a Savior has been born. May you all have a very merry Christmas.
Father, how thankful I am that a Savior was born that first Christmas. May His name be honored and glorified by my daily life. In His name, Amen. 

FOR THOSE OF YOU FOLLOWING THIS BLOG PAGE, I want to let you know that our annual Christmas Eve candle light Communion service is cancelled for tomorrow night.We ado not want our older congregation out after dark in these horrid temperatures.

Marie’s daily verse: 

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

DAILY DEVOTION, December 21, 2022

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

When you think of Jesus, does the word “Wonderful” ever come to mind? It should. The Hebrew word means that which is amazing, beyond anything we can imagine; extraordinary, so much so that we can never probe fully the depths of who Jesus is. He is beyond all human expectations.

It began with His birth in Bethlehem. How can God take on human nature? It is a wonder to us. How can a virgin conceive and bear a son? It is an inexplicable wonder. “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see” we sing during the Christmas season. If you try to fit the birth of Jesus into your brain so that everything is neat and tidy, you will fail. His birth is truly WONDERFUL. It inspires wonder and awe. 

What began at His birth continues throughout His life. Jesus, the Son of God, understands our plight and cares about us (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 5:7). Why does God care about people who have rebelled against His will?  It is too wonderful for words. Why did Jesus endure the Cross for us? He is the glorious Son of God. Why did He humble Himself in this way to redeem us?  It is too wonderful for words.

As Son of God, He has the right to say, “If you want forgiveness, you have to get it the old-fashioned way. You have to earn it.” Instead, we hear that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. By grace, we find favor with God through faith. It isn’t easy to find the words to describe this reality. It is too wonderful for words. Isaiah prophesied that the coming Messiah would be wonderful, and He is.

Father, in this Christmas season, we remember the birth of our Savior. His name is “wonderful.” From His birth through His life to His resurrection, Jesus is truly wonderful. I struggle to wrap my mind around all the wonders that are associated with Jesus. I thank You that He came and redeemed all who trust in Him. I pray in His wonderful name, Amen.