Marie’s daily verse: Matthew 2:11 (NLT)They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

DAILY DEVOTION, December 19, 2022

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:3).

What is God like? No one has ever seen God (John 1:18). The New Testament tells us that God is like Jesus. Jesus is described as “the exact representation of his being.” Jesus is God in the flesh. We now know what God is like. He is like Jesus. He has shown us that God is love. God cares for us. In Jesus, God “provided purification for our sins.” The guiltiest of sinners can find forgiveness by embracing Jesus with faith.

That is the good news. But what about those who ignore or reject Jesus? Jesus taught us that God is love, but He also taught us that God is just. Yes, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” From these same gracious lips, we also hear such words as: “I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice evil” (Matthew 7:23): “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:14); “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! … And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be thrust down to hell” (Luke 10:13, 15).

God will either relate to you graciously or with justice. It all depends on what we do with Jesus. Those who trust in Jesus will find nothing but love and mercy. Those who will not surrender their hearts to Jesus will find nothing but judgment and wrath.

Father, I thank You for revealing Yourself to us in Jesus. His kindness and mercy draw me to Him. I love and trust Him as my Savior. Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: Philippines 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, Rejoice!

DAILY DEVOTION, December 18, 2022

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12).

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if faith in Jesus resulted in a pain-free life of ease? There are those who tell us that following Jesus will result in a blessed earthly life. In the Sermon on the Mount, we learn that trusting in Jesus may lead to trouble. Many Christians are insulted and persecuted.  That hurts. None of us like to be insulted and hated by others. God’s prophets were persecuted in the past. The more faithful we are to Jesus, the more likely we are to face persecution.

Then comes the good news. We are to rejoice when we are subjected to abuse because of our faith. Those who stand fast and refuse to compromise their faith will be rewarded in heaven. The reward is described as “great.”

This raises a question. Am I more interested in this life or in the life to come? Do I really believe that faith in Jesus leads to a glorious future? If I do, I will be faithful to Him, whatever the cost.

Father, I want to be faithful to Jesus even if it leads to pain. Help me to keep my focus on eternity. In Jesus name, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: Isaiah 30:18 NLT

“The LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! ”

DAILY DEVOTION, December 12, 2022

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Forgive as the Lord forgave you, (Colossians 3:13).

It would be nice if we could sail through life and never have anyone step on our toes. Unfortunately, that will never happen. We have all had our feelings hurt more than once. Sadly, it is often fellow Christians who wound us. I have felt betrayed by fellow Christians more than once. Should I hate them? Should I try to get even? Our passage tells us to forgive, to bear with one another when we have a grievance. This is a theme I have preached on often because it is so important.

But why should we forgive others? Paul states it simply. We forgive because we have been forgiven by the Lord. We have stomped on God’s commandments time and time again. We have offended our Creator, our holy God. Nevertheless, He sent His Son to atone for our sins. Those who trust in Jesus are forgiven. When you are nursing hurt feelings, think about how God has forgiven you. Dwell on it. Let God’s forgiveness soften your heart. Are you wiser than God? If He forgives you, can’t you forgive others? You really need to (see Matthew 6:15).

Father, I am so thankful that my sin burden has been lifted. I thank You so much for the forgiveness Jesus has provided for me. I want to be like Jesus and forgive others. Please help me. In His name I pray, Amen.

Marie’s Verse Psalms 34:14 NLT Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

DAILY DEVOTION, December 7, 2022

God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

When Adam and Eve fell into sin, God planned how he would redeem us. He planned to bring us salvation by involving two procedures. Paul expresses these in reverse order from the way we usually experience them. To receive God’s salvation, we begin by believing the truth. The truth revealed in the writings of the apostles is that Jesus is the Son of God who provided for our salvation through his death on the cross. Faith in Jesus brings us into the Kingdom of God.

Paul then mentions sanctification by the spirit. Sanctification is another way of saying “making us into faithful followers of Jesus.” Sanctification by the Holy Spirit leads to a new life. God saves us by faith and then gives us the power to live a new life. Both elements are present in the lives of the redeemed. There is no such thing as salvation that does not result in sanctification by the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to have true faith in Jesus and not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. While our obedience to Jesus is never perfect, Christians are always striving to follow him.

Father, I thank you for the simplicity of the gospel. I thank you that I have heard the truth and believed in Jesus. I thank you that the Holy Spirit is leading me ever increasingly to a life of obedience. May my daily life bring praise and glory and honor to you and to Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8).

DAILY DEVOTION, December 3, 2022

Teach me Your statutes. Make me to understand the way of Your precepts; then I shall contemplate on Your wondrous works (Psalm 119:26-27).

This is the prayer of a true believer under the old covenant. The same phenomenon happens to us under the New Covenant. When our faith in Jehovah (Jesus) is sincere, we have a new relationship with the commands of God. We understand that His commandments are intended to bless those who obey. The commands of God are not given to make us miserable. Misery comes when we disregard the commands of God. God wants to provide us with a full and meaningful life. His statues and precepts are given for that purpose.

As we seek to live in obedience to the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, we are on the path leading to divine blessing. We don’t obey the commands of God to earn God’s favor. We have already received God’s favor when we trusted His Son, our Savior. Trust leads to salvation. Obedience leads to a meaningful life. So, as we sing in church, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Father, I adore Your gracious commands. Please help me to understand and follow them. I know Your commands are not given to make me unhappy but to generate in me the greatest joy. I thank You, especially for Jesus, whose forgiveness has set me free to obey You. In His name, I pray, Amen.