DEVOTION JOURNAL 2021 – DON MCDANIEL

DECEMBER 2021   

 12/1/21                                                                                 CHRIST IN YOU                                  1 

Exodus 3:2–4

COMMENTS:  We have now entered the holy time of Advent – the 4 weeks prior to Christmas.   Last Sunday the first Advent candle was lit at our local churches and began singing Christmas hymns and carols.  I believe God had a hand in selecting the timing of Thanksgiving Day to be just prior ot Advent.   We have so much  to thank God for and worship and praise Him for, but to do so in preparation to focus on preparing for Christ’s birth only serves to draw us deeper into properly preparing for this wonderful and holy time of year and Holiday.  It is not clear in scripture the date and month Christ was born, but scholars commonly believe He was born in September of 4BC.   Seems odd that the year would be 4BC especially when the calendar is gaged from Christ’s birth. Well, it is a bit of a mystery, but in those days birthdays were not celebrated especially by the common – poor.    However, I also think early Christians didn’t observe Christmas or Christ’s birth because they knew He preceded His birth as God for eternity past.  In 274AD Roman Emperor Aurelian set December 25th as the day of Christ’s birth in place of a pagan Roman celebration on that date each year.  In 320AD Pope Julius I officially set December 25th as the date of the birth of Jesus Christ. That date has endured to the present.  Even though the early Christians didn’t observe Christmas, they made up for it by celebrating Easter, which also has continued to be observed to the present. The Emperor’s mother, a devout Christian, set on the mission of going to the Holy Land and determining the sites where key events in scripture and Bible history too place and have remained as the official sites to this day.  Well, visiting the Holy Land and seeing these sights adds much meaning and visually  reinforces and makes biblical stories more real, but does not change the truth and power of those stories. One such story is Moses and the “Burning Bush”.  Moses encountered a bush that burned without being consumed and as approached discovered he was in the presence of God Himself. We are not told how long the bush remained burning, but Moses didn’t enshrine the bush, but instead obeyed God’s instruction given at that location.  Well, the value of that bush was based on Who was there, which disappeared when God moved on.

The burning bush is an Old Testament example of a New Testament truth: Christ in you, the hope of glory. God can set any life ablaze with Spirit‐inspired power. A lowly outcast, or an honored aristocrat. An unskilled individual with lackluster gifts, or a talented person who is beautiful and bright. The “you” doesn’t matter. What does matter is Christ in you. “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Let me burn for you, Lord. Let me shine..

 

12/2/21             “ALL THINGS” DEFINED BY PAUL                                 2 

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

COMMENTS:  Paul did not leave us to wonder what he meant when he said “all things” work together for the good of those who love Christ.   II Corinthians 11 list a few of those things:  floggings, whip lashings, beaten with rods, shipwrecked, enduring false believers, and hunger – thirst – fatigue – physical pain to list a few. Paul sacrificed and endured more hardship and suffering for longer than most Christians of his time even though persecution was severe for most Christ followers.   However, the powerful impact of Paul’s teaching and writing continue generation after generation teaching and inspiring readers today as much as it did when he wrote and taught then.   Was his sacrifice worth it?  Well, it was worth it to us, but I am certain he would agree it was also worth it to him. So, when we must choose to give up some time or  money or material possession or even health in order to follow the Holy Spirit’s nudgings, consider the sacrifice those before us have made to share Christ’s good news of salvation and forgiveness and be encouraged and motivated to do what small part God wants of you and from me.   We are like a small puzzle piece God has designed to fit into the puzzle of His Will.   Without us the puzzle is not complete so each of us can and will make a difference if we are faithful and remain so at whatever cost God asks us to give.  Remember the cost our salvation  required of Him and continues to cost Him.  AMEN?  AMEN!

12/3/21                                                                                MERCY                                          3

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

James 2:12–13

COMMENTS: Mercy is something seldom talked about.  The world sees mercy as a sign of weakness while God shows us mercy out of His strength and love.   Forgiveness is only justified when guilty are willing to change and provide restitution to those hurt by the offense.   We tend to think mercy is a topic of the New Testament while judgement as the theme of the old testament.   But Christ’s return for His followers and judgment on those who  don’t is a clear prophecy in the New Testament while God’s mercy and forgiveness has been showered on Israel and many individual examples in the Old Testament. Christ even assured us that He did not come to destroy or change the Law but to fulfil it.  To accept the punishment for  the crimes of sin  we commit against the Law and administering Mercy instead of Judgment on us.  Such sacrifice and mercy is awe inspiring but at  times needs to be given by us too.  The parable Jesus told of the servant who was forgiven a massive debt but refused to forgive a small debt owed him resulting in the king resending his mercy of forgiveness to the servant  who owed the massive debt. We are not told why that servant accumulated such a large debt, but simply told the king had decided to forgive him.   The story also tells us we are able to give up our forgiveness if we refuse to forgive our brother too.

12/4/21                             THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND THE DEVIL                                     4

“For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world.”   1 John 2:16    COMMENTS:  Lust and pride are terrible sins that blind and over power the will and soul of each and every human who yields to them. They have destroyed countless people in generations past and in ours too. Bishop Ryle said, “The very fact that the Devil has pinpointed you as his opponent should fill your mind with hope. For to be at peace with the world, the flesh and the devil is to be at enmity with God.”  However, the opposite is also true.  To be in fellowship with and obedient with God is to be in battle with satan.  Satan is a formidable foe for us but not  with God, who is able and willing to fight our battles and help and protect us against the devil’s arrows if we simply ask and yield to His instruction. Lord of the Battle, please fit me for conflict today for I constantly face temptation. Rather than lust, I want to desire you. Instead of envy, may I be jealous for fellowship. Instead of pride, I would rather boast in you. Guard me and my loved ones from the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

12/5/21                                                         REJOICE!                                         5

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.”

Luke 6:23

COMMENTS:  Before we get too excited about our reward in heaven, we should   remember we don’t deserve nor have earned it.  Our reward in heaven is beyond our imaginations but is God’s gift of love to us, not something we have earned.  What we do in obedience for Him is our our Gift of love to Him.  That is the secret of a meaningful and fulfilling and healthy and living relationship with our Heavenly Father and Savior and guiding Holy Spirit.  What we do for the Father we also do for the Son and for the Holy Spirit.   They are not separate or different.  They are one but revealed to us as separate.  I know, that makes no sense nor is comprehendable but is supported in scripture.  Jesus emptied Himself, remaining divine but without the power and abilities God possesses, so He had to rely on the Father for strength and direction and wisdom and abilities needed to live and be our Savior and God while on earth.  He had to sleep and pray just like we do, but unlike us, He remained perfect  in conduct and thought without any sin.  He experienced temptation as we do but DID NOT SIN!  This too is not comprehendable by us, but was necessary for Jesus to become our sacrifice and worthy of paying the necessary price for our sins so we wouldn’t need to in order to receive the Father’s forgiveness and redemption.   That is the Good News of the Gospel message given at Christmas and fulfilled at Easter. That first Christmas and weeks leading up to Christ’s birth, the events of Gabriel visiting Zachariah and Mary and Joseph, of the angelic host visiting the shepherds.  The inspired words of Mary and Elizabeth and Zachariah given in Luke 1-2 all serve to authenticate the accuracy and validity of the supernatural story and events that occupied those weeks.  Our bible is accurate and valid for historical and spiritual guidance and instruction.  We are enjoying the work and diligence of those before us who followed the direction and instruction God gave for the writing and preserving and collection of over 40 writers over a 1600 year period. No other book is so available and inexpensive but as priceless as our Bible.   It is difficult to acquire in some countries because government or those in authority have chosen to outlaw or ban it’s availability and use, but is freely and easily acquired without that obstacle.  But God has a wonderful way of making His Word available to those who sincerely desire to have and know it. We have so much to be thankful and exciting for and about.  Yet, because the Gospel message is old and the same, it has become boring or unexciting to those who fail to do their part to maintain and develop a meaningful and current relationship with Christ.  But so much is lost and missed when we fail to do so. My cup overflows with joy, Lord, when I think of your great and unsurpassing love. May I enjoy you today and delight over you as you delight over your children!

12/6/21                                                         HOLDING ON TO GOD’S WORD                                 6

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

COMMENTS: When we are overwhelmed with the cares and dangers of life.  When we struggle with temptations and human weaknesses and emotions that lure us to sin.  When we become too discouraged and tired.  When we become so used to God’s blessings that we take them for granted.   When we are lured by false teachers and “shortcuts” that promise to help us reach goals easier and sooner than God Wills or to goals He does not want us to  reach.  All this and more dangers and traps satan would have us follow to because they pull us away from God.  To death and away from life.   But God desires life and joy for us.  Satan desires pain and misery and death for us.  When we look at this objectively, we wonder why anyone would choose death, but  remember satan is the master of lies, so he promises much and delivers nothing.  God delights to do his will, and that we should expect him to do it. Charles Spurgeon put it this way: “You and I may take hold at any time upon the justice, and the mercy, and the faithfulness… of God, and we shall find every attribute of the Most High to be, as it were, a great battering ram with which we may open the gates of heaven.” Holding God to his Word is meekness. We can confidently expect God to do what he says he will do in Scripture, but our confidence must be tempered with a lowly and humble spirit. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth… blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Today, let me look to your promises with expectancy and assurance. For your Word never returns to you empty but always accomplishes what you desire. I glorify you for that.

  12/7/21                                             BOLD LOVE                                        7

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore‐fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.”

Luke 19:1–6

COMMENTS:  What was it that caused Jesus to notice this little man?   Was it his diligence to find a way to get close to Jesus?  Was it the man’s seeking heart and awareness  that Jesus was where he would find redemption from the emptiness and guilt   that likely  tormented him and drew him to seek out Jesus?  Was it he who sought out Jesus or was it God that had sought him and gave him opportunity to find Jesus?  Notice Jesus called him by name and was fully aware of his sins but also the potential God envisioned for him.   God draws us to Jesus too but will not keep us from rejecting Him if we refuse or ignore that drawing Spirit.  The Father made Jesus aware of Zacceus so He was ready to acknowledge and respond when he locked eyes with Zacceus. The love of God is daring and courageous,  but when you consider that it’s the Lord of the universe who steps up to the door of your heart and knocks for entrance, only a fool would refuse him entry. Like Zacchaeus, Jesus invites himself into your life, bringing his own joy and welcome. And just as he did with Zacchaeus, he tells you not to hesitate. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). I can learn something from Zacchaeus, Lord. I can throw open the door of my heart to you and say, “Welcome!”

12/8/21                                                                    I’M DYING TO KNOW                                              8     

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

Galatians 5:24

COMMENTS:  Yesterday was the 80th anniversary of day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which brought the US into WWII. Up to that time the US was watching events unfold in Europe with Hitler’s armies advancing across Europe but not prepared to join in the fight.   Looking back at history, it indeed was a miracle the US was able to fight and win against invading Japan forces from the west as well as against Hitler’s formidable forces in the East clearly overcoming resistance in Europe but definitely focused on world conquest.     What would the world be like today if Hitler had won?  I shutter to imagine but I suspect Christ’s return would have happened soon afterwards.  But it didn’t!  Hitler’s evil goals and plans and ambitions and accomplishments were stopped dead in it’s tracks short of completion.  But 6 million Jews died and countless millions of troups on both sides fighting and dying for their leader and country and cause.  There is no doubt that God intervened giving wisdom and guidance and divine intervention to Allied generals and troups.  Millions of devout Christ followers and many new ones compelled to see Christ due to looming disaster opened doors for God to intervene and do many miracles. History gives us insights of why disasters and tyrant invaders succeed for a time but their ultimate fate.  History keeps repeating itself.   Satan keeps persuading people with his lies and deceptions to embrace and pursue foolish and destructive paths that do great harm themselves and many others.  Why God permits them to do so at all but especially for as long as He has is a mystery.  He allows His creation to make foolish and sinful choices but not without warning and consequences.  But judgment is not God’s desire and exercising judgment does not give Him please but is necessary to prevent man from self-extinction.  He so wants us to repent and accept His redemption freely offered to all paid for at great cost to Himself.  When we refuse, He uses many ways to discourage or persuade us not to.  But when all else fails, He must render judgment to stop the destruction sin ultimately leads to.   Prophecies of Christ’s first coming and purpose fill the Old Testament pages but remaining yet to be fulfilled prophecies of Christ’s second coming to stop satan’s evil            work and of those who follow satan’s lead.  To judge satan and his followers and then restore and rule His creation the way He intended.  That is what we look forward to and long for.  But in the meantime we must endure and deal with satan’s influence and those who follow that influence.  But it will not last forever.  Forever is solely in God’s Good Hands.  Future is something we can look forward to instead of dread once we seek and ask and receive His forgiveness available to one and all who accept it.  AMEN?  AMEN!    It is not good to dwell on “what if’s” since dwelling on regrets or should have’s only serve to give us misery and waste valuable time that can be used to repair damage from poor choices or consequences of sinful behavior.   But reflection on results if wiser choices had been made should help motive us to do path corrections and begin making wiser and healthier and “Christ-like” choices.  “WWJD” means “What Would Jesus Do?” and is used to help guide and motivate us to seek and follow and make choices in harmony with God’s Will.  Poor choices and sinful choices have consequences which God may choose to shield us from or allow us to endure at least some of those consequences to motivate us to repent – turn from them and towards Him.  Thinking of the consequences before we make those choices is vital if we ever hope to overcome habitual sinning and making poor choices.  The apostle Paul spoke of this when he said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection… becoming like him in his death.” Paul realized that in order to know Christ fully, it meant crucifying the old man. Mortifying his sinful nature with all its passions. Nailing worldly affections to the cross. Reckoning himself dead to sin and alive to God. We say we want to know the Lord’s love, to feel his favor, to experience his joy and peace. We want to know his presence and his smile. But could we say we are dying to know him? If so, Jesus asks you to meet him at the cross. What does it take to know Jesus in an intimate and personal way? The Bible calls it being crucified with Christ, but you could call it “saying no to sin.” Ask the Lord to give you his resurrection power and help you squelch anger, stifle gossip, and put a lid on those mind games. The power of your resurrection, Lord, is what I need when I say “no” to sin. Let me become like you in your death, crucifying every passion that displeases you. I want to know you. I am dying to know you.

12/9/21                                              SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER                                            9 

“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Simon,’ he said to Peter, ‘are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?’”

Mark 14:37

COMMENTS: Prayer is such a precious gift and privilege and blessing that is our connection to a life and joy giving relationship with our Creator – our Lord – our Savior – our God – but also our dearest and most faithful Friend.  The words of a familiar hymn written by William Walford “Sweet Hour of Prayer” express the joy  and power and life prayer was for this man, who lived in 19th century England blind.  He earned a living making useful  tools and objects like shoe horns. He also would preach when need arised in his home rural church.   He also learned / memorized large portions of scripture that he would access and quote in his daily journey as well as in his sermons. Thomas Salmon, a New York native, spent some time in Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, where he became acquainted with William. He shared an experience while visiting William: “…He repeated two or three pieces which he had composed, and having no friend at home to commit them to paper, he had laid them up in the storehouse within. “How will this do?” asked he, as he repeated the following lines, with a complacent smile touched with some light lines of fear lest he subjects himself to criticism. I rapidly copied the lines with my pencil, as he uttered them, and sent them for insertion in the Observer if you should think them worthy of preservation.”

“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word, and trust His grace; I’ll cast on Him my ev’ry care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.” “Lord, you are my friend and I want to tell you about my wants and wishes. More so, I want to hear you share your heart with me. As I open up your Word, speak to me. And as your Spirit opens up my heart, may my prayer be honest and real. Lastly, tell me, Lord, how much time I am to spend with you in prayer.”

Little did William or Thomas know how God would use and spread those wonderful words and hymn created and shared in not only their generation but in Christian churches and congregations and gatherings in generations since including today.  So the next time you sing or hear this wonderful hymn, reflect back on it’s beginning and the fellowship they had with God that inspired the writer and one listener to share.    How many people has this hymn touched and lead to Christ?  Only God knows but must be millions…

“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:4

12/10/21                                                       THERE REMAINS A REST                                          10 

“There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.”

Hebrews 4:9–11

COMMENTS:

Everyone needs daily sleep and a time of rest to restore depleted energy and health – both physical and mental and spiritual.  When God established the Sabbath as the day of rest and refreshing, He intended the Sabbath to not only be used for rest and refreshing physically and even mentally, but even more importantly for refreshing spiritually.  When we use Sunday to sleep in or for play, we may satisfy the need for physical renewal, but we cannot endure life’s challenges and dangers and worse without focus on our need to connect and communicate and be in fellowship with our God and Creator and Savior and Friend.   Even Christ, who set aside His divine powers and abilities and attributes to take on the limitations of being human, needed regular and frequent time set aside to focus on fellowship with the Father.  He is our perfect example to show us and teach us how to start and sustain that necessary level of rest and fellowship needed to live life as God intends for us.  Today we endure satan’s attacks and obstacles along with physical fatigue and discouragement.  We face hostility and problems from all directions, some anticipated but many or most not.   We can easily trip or fall unprepared or be blind-sided.  But our God and Lord is never unprepared or surprised and wants us to be and remain close to Him so He will be accessible for help.   When we are looking away from Him or keeping our distances from Him or allowing life’s distractions and noise to drown Him out, we set ourselves us for discouragement and defeat.  We set ourselves up for failure.  But that need not continue or allow our past to become our future or worse.  God Wills far better for each of us and  will works to convince us to turn to Him and partner with Him to bring that better future to  past.  But God will not force us to but works within the boundaries of our will.  He permits us to make both wise and foolish choices that are  even self-destructive.  But not without warning and discouraging us or giving us every opportunity to repent and turn to a better choice – a choice that includes His fellowship and help.  That includes being in fellowship and relationship with Him.  One day we will face eternity either with Him or without Him.   There is nothing more important to Him or to us whether we realize or prepare for it or not! One day in heaven, if we have enough  sense to accept the ticket Christ bought for us, we will be in heaven enjoying all Christ is preparing for us with all who also accepted their Christ bought  tickets too. There will be plenty of singing and praising, serving and rejoicing. There will be worship and adoration but no more opportunity to share the Good News with unsaved loved ones. That fact, if anything, should make you get moving down here on earth. There’s work to be done. Unsaved friends and neighbors need to know Christ. The lost in your community need to hear the Gospel. Whole nations need to be evangelized. People are on the brink of perishing and the end is fast approaching. There will be plenty of time to rest in heaven. Now is the time to evangelize. “Forgive me for shuffling my feet when it comes to sharing your Gospel with those who don’t know you, Lord. Today, lead me to someone who needs to hear about you.”

12/11/21                                         IMMANUEL                                                   11

“’The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us.’”

Matthew 1:23

COMMENTS: It is very difficult for you and me to even begin to comprehend the concept of Trinity, let alone understand.  Yet scripture clearly identifies God as a Triune and as Jesus’ being “begotten” and not created.   To be God from eternity past and future without beginning.  Equal with the Father and not separate from the Father.    Well, faith enables us to accept without understanding many concepts in scripture.  Likewise, the concept of Jesus coming as a human baby and growing up maturing and learning as God but without using God’s attributes like knowing and involved in everything and being everywhere at the same time and everytime.  He emptied himself (Philippians 2:1-15) without giving up His divinity or purpose / mission.  What this means and why God chose such a way remains a mystery, but doing so enabled and continues to enable people from past – present – future generations to know – be in relationship with – have access with and be guided and strengthened by God all the time.   Promise of heaven and all that entails encourages and gives us something to look forward to and hope in midst of present and/or future sacrifice or suffering endured.   His example as a human helps us understand and know Him better and learn from Him.  But benefits of such go far beyond that too. The way Joseph and Mary reacted and obeyed as recorded in Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1 helps us realize their maturity and faith and trust in God. Imagine what Joseph thought when he heard of Mary’s pregnancy. His engagement was not going to his plans or accepted society law. People started talking. Whispering. Giggling. Sneering. What would his or Mary’s family think or  do? But notice what the angel tells Joseph: “’The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’—which means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23). God with us. What wonderful words Joseph heard. It made all the difference.  Joseph decided to obey God and not “save face”  or protect his reputation. But that’s not all, I imagine. God was not only going to be there.    He would be on their side but also with them!  God’s promise must have emboldened Joseph because the next day he took the less-traveled road and married Mary. Such was his confidence in God’s presence and God’s defense. “Lord, life has not presented itself in a pretty package each day. But I know that you are with me. And I know that you are on my side. How can I fail? Give me courage to take roads less traveled, because you are mine and you are there.”

12/12/21                                                                            HE LEADS                                                 12

“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

John 10:3–4

COMMENTS:  Do ever wonder how or why a mighty God who has power and control of everything would want to have a personal and continual relationship with each and every one of us?  Why He would sacrifice to restore such a relationship after all we have done to break that relationship when He could have more easily replaced or forced us to change.  Well, we all know a forced  relationship is no relationship.   He has designed us to need and desire a loving relationship with Him but satan has done all he could to destroy that relationship.  His tactics have been effective but unchanged over the centuries and humans still keep falling into his tricks and traps which promise desirable things but never deliver or at least deliver for long or as much as promised.  His mission is our destruction so why do we keep being tricked by his wiles?  So instead of doing that, why not go to Christ, look for the many ways He guides and leads and encourages and draws close to you during our daily lives and then respond to Him, taking the  time to notice and fellowship with Him. Take notice of the many  times you and I have walked past Him or avoided Him either on purpose or because of other distractions.  One day it will be too late, it might be today, so don’t waste any opportunity to be blessed or to be a blessing.  He didn’t while living as a human on earth and He only had 3 years to complete His mission.  He will give us sufficient time to complete ours too if we don’t waste any more time. If you feel as though God’s principal activity in your life is to follow behind you and throw a rope after you’ve fallen headlong into a trial, then you need to memorize our verse for today. A shepherd never follows his flock, he leads them. Jesus himself says that he goes on ahead. He blazes a straight path and charts the way. Never is God surprised by your trials. Never does he push you out ahead and back you up with a dustpan and broom. God is out in front. In fact, God totally encompasses you, front, side, and rear guard. As it says in Psalm 139:5–6, “You hem me in–behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Thank you for leading me, Lord. Thank you for charting all of my days, planning every event so that it fits miraculously into a pattern of good for my life.  AMEN?  AMEN!

12/13/21          GOD’S OMIAGES                   13

“When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”

Ephesians 4:8

COMMENTS:   The word “omiages” is a Japanese word which means a small gift not expected for a special occasion.  Joni Eaereckson Tata shared that she and her husband will buy a small gift for each other when one of them goes out of town.  Nothing expensive or even needed but done for the joy of seeing the surprise on each other’s face. Jesus gives us Omiages every day even though we don’t deserve them nor even bother to notice them most of the time.  Things like a beautiful sunrise or sunset, sparkling frost on grass or a beautiful wild flower.  Yet, when He does so and we notice, recall how He then nudges us to share that pleasure with someone else.  He continually leads us by example and guides us by His Holy Spirit not seen or heard but evident in His handiwork and inspiration and soft nudging to our spirit. There may be times when that nudging is stronger because of the importance or ugency of a response, but often it is a special treat He lovingly offers in a way we will notice if we are open to do so. Take time each day, especially during Advent, to look for and stop and enjoy some of the Omiages God puts in your path.  You will be surprises how many and how wonderful they are.

12/14/21                                             SIN’S DECEPTIVENESS                                      14 

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Hebrews 3:12–13

COMMENTS:  Satan is a master of deception.  He has had thousands of years to master this skill but then again to be able to persuade 1/3 of heaven’s angels to follow him either speaks of his skills of deception or more likely the powerful influence and deception of pride in the heart of any creature.  Pride satan’s most powerful tool and most dangerous.  Only with God’s help can we hope to avoid or remove it’s infectious grip on us.   Christ came and perfectly demonstrated God’s humble and giving and sacrificial spirit but also to show us what He requires and so wants to help us reach for ourselves.  But God is all powerful and rules over all, so  we must not forget or overlook, like it or not, we will either yield to His will and follow His path to eternal life and joy and love or face eternal judgment and misery with the author of lies and that misery, satan. Pride can show it’s ugly head in what seems harmless times and ways but always keeps us from doing or saying what is needed.  It always brings along selfishness and a variety of other un-Christ-like behaviors too that all serve to bring harm and regrets. None of us are immuned but God will give us a sensitivity to  recognize and respond appropriately, while seeking His help, to respond appropriately if we are obedient to Him.

Joni Eareckson shared a personal story today:

“Some time ago I pulled into my driveway after stopping at the local gas station for a fill‐up. When I got out of my van, I noticed that my gas cap was missing. The attendant had forgotten to put it back on. Oh bother! I fumed. Exasperated, I drove back to the station to inquire about my cap. “Is this yours?! The attendant asked as he held up a stainless steel gas cap. I told him “yes” but, when I watched him screw the cap on my van, I took a closer look. It wasn’t mine. I felt guilty but not guilty enough to keep me from driving around  for a few days with the hot gas cap. Hummph! They were the ones who lost it in the first place… why shouldn’t I take one of theirs? I regarded my straight‐faced lie to the attendant as less sinful than it actually was in the sight of God. A few nights later I stumbled across Hebrews 3:12–13 in my devotions. The next morning found me at an auto‐supply store to purchase a new cap to give to the gas‐station attendant. He refused to take it, saying that it wasn’t important. I wish that he had realized that the whole experience was more for my sake than his. Until recently, I had a sun‐faded, never‐opened boxed gas cap on my dash to remind me just how deceitful sin really is. Lord, forgive me when I emasculate my sin and make great‐sounding excuses for it. I am sorry that I try to rationalize my wrongdoing. Let me never become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

12/15/21                                                          SERVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY                                   15

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.”

Ephesians 6:7–8

COMMENTS: So how do we serve passionately and joyfully (with our whole heart) if our heart is not in the work?  Afterall, what if it involves work we don’t like to do even if a good purpose? I could no more climb a tower if my life depending on it while others do that everyday but could never lead a devotion in front of a crowd of people.  Yet God does not ask us to do what He has not gifted and empowered us to do.

Perhaps you feel manacled to a desk, with just enough slack in your chain to reach the file cabinet, the teakettle, and the washroom. Or maybe you feel chained to the kitchen sink or a vacuum cleaner, a computer, or a study carrel in the lonely back corner of a library. No “Five Easy Steps to Serving Enthusiastically” will do the trick. Only when your focus is on Jesus can you put passion into your service. He must not only be the One we serve but the One from whom we draw power. Lord Jesus, in your power I will serve you today!

12/16/21                  GOD’S PROMISE: PRE-POST AND DURING BLIZZARD                          16

“He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.”

2 Samuel 23:4

COMMENTS:  Blizzards are a dangerous experience.  Driving danger from not being able to see ahead far enough to stay on the road while avoiding obstacles.   Likewise, heavy fog and heavy rain  and high wind speeds present same dangers.   The protection of secure shelter becomes more important and precious then because exposure  to the storms without protection can be life  threatening.   The shelter provides same protection but on sunny – warm days the environment outside is safe and peaceful. The environment inside is the same regardless of environment outside, but more important when outside environment not safe. When venturing out during a storm, proper clothing and equipment is needed to assure safe return Having a snow plow or  repair crew removing obstacles or snow and providing salt to melt ice all serve to enable traveler to reach his destination safe and sound.  For us,  that journey  relates to obstacles and dangers satan would put  in our path while ways God provided to guide and lead us around or even through those obstacles as we followed His directions. Take some time to reflect on some of those examples.   God promises never to leave or stop protecting us, but we need to get and stay under His protective wings and stay with Him through life’s storms to avoid the harm those storms attempt to inflict. Then reflect on the calm and sunny skies that tempt us to forget God soon afterwards.   Those skies should help us rejoice that God is in control and faithful all the time.  He deserves our attention and praise both on sunny days and during stormy days.  We need Him all the  time  but He desires fellowship with each of us all the  time too.

“You are the Lord who calmed the storms and brought peace to fearful hearts. Praise you for being the light of morning at sunrise. Thank you for being the brightness after rain.”

12/17/21                                                    TWO TREES IN THE GARDEN                            17

“In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’”

Genesis 2:9; 3:22

COMMENTS: Two trees mentioned in scripture as being in the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  The story of Eve yielding to the serpent’s temptation by eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and then giving fruit to Adam who also ate, resulting in both being ejected from the garden and eternal life the tree of life offered. That one act of sin ushered in a future for them and future generations that included both death and the choice of following the path of sin or of redemption.   God didn’t let them face death without opportunity for  repentence and redemption.  Adam and Eve lived over 900 years but if only they had avoided and  refused satan’s temptations,  we would be able to enjoy listening to Adam’s stories today as well as the stories of all the saints                                                                                                 before us.   Sickness and death and evil would be foreign to us.  Well, if they hadn’t, someone would have.  Jesus would have still needed to come.   “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24). Well, it was actually good that God to keep diseased and sin‐sick man from eating of the tree of life. Had Adam and Eve done so, they and we might have had to endure sick aging bodies for eternity without promise of an eternal perfect body free of                       pain and sickness and aging.  When Christ returns, He will restore the earth and us to the perfect state He intended at creation and before satan began his evil corruption and destruction.   That is all he knows how to do or wants to do.   Never to build or create but only to destroy.                                                                                          The tree of life not only grew in the Garden of Eden, but it will one day grow in the new heavens and new earth. Revelation 22:2–3 says, “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.” Thank you for showing such mercy in the Garden of Eden, Lord. And thank you for eternal life free from sorrow and sin.

12/18/21                                    HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT                                              18 

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.”

Psalm 133:1,3

COMMENTS:  We all desire and enjoy peaceful surroundings and relationships but all too many fail to plan and conduct their lives and actions in such a way so to build and sustain such peaceful relationships and environments.  Reflect with me on your family memories growing up and how close you were with parents and siblings and friends and school mates.   What stood out with those you were close too as compared with those you were not?  Common interests or simply time and interest they were willing to spend with you? As David ruled his kingdom, I have no doubts that he saw division and conflict among his people. And so whenever peace and unity came, his joy was deep and heartfelt. In Psalm 133, he pictures just what such unity meant to him. Israelites lived in an dry climate, but Mount Hermon to the north provided refreshing mists in the morning that quenched the thirst of the land. It refreshed one’s dry skin and made the day bearable. Struggles between you and another brother or sister can create a desert like feeling in your soul. Everything about your life seems lifeless and dry, but when that moment of agreement in the spirit comes, your body literally feels refreshed. If you are trying to resolve a conflict, it’s almost worth dropping everything else to bring about peace. Only then can your soul–and the soul of that brother or sister–be at rest. Unity is good. It is pleasant. It is refreshment. Lord, may my life be refreshment to another saint in Christ. May my words refresh and my actions heal. Thank you for times of miraculous refreshment and healing when unity seemed impossible.

 12/19/21                                                        HIS PURPOSE FOR YOU                                                         19

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever–do not abandon the works of your hands.”

Psalm 138:8

COMMENTS:  Would it make sense to use an automobile for a boat  on river or a boat to travel a highway?  Of course not.  Both were designed and built for a specific purpose and function and would work well in  that function but not in any other.  Likewise,  God designed each of us for a specific purpose and do not work well outside that purpose.   Satan knows that but his evil purpose is to keep us trying to function outside our design purpose.  That purpose is to worship – praise – serve and obey Him.   Satan would have us worship and praise and obey satan and his evil plans.  To destroy instead of build, to kill instead of give and sustain life.  To give misery and pain instead of joy and peace.  To take instead of give. ‐done. He always completes what he begins but in the wisdom of His perfect timing. That includes you. He started working on you years ago, long before you became a Christian. Take heart today that the blueprint for your life is still spread before him. He won’t stop working on you until he reaches his goal. By the way, his goal is summed up in Romans 8:29 and his purpose is that you might “be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Read Psalm 138 to see how God accomplishes his work in your life. He fulfills his purpose in you with love and faithfulness (v. 2). Part of his goal is to make you fearless and stouthearted (v.3), humble (v.6), and confident in his ability to preserve and protect you (v.7). Further evidence is given in Philippians 1:6. He will never abandon or forsake you. His goal is to make you more like Jesus, and he won’t stop working on his goal for you until you are complete. “I am grateful, Lord, that you promise you will fulfill your purpose for me. Thank you for not abandoning your work in my life when I am stubborn or disobedient. Today, I want to be willing to cooperate with you. I want to agree with your purpose in my life. I want to desire the same goals you have for my life. I praise you that you always finish what you start.”

      12/20/21                            THINGS THAT LAST                                                            20

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18

COMMENTS:  Christmas traditions like decorating house and tree, special worship services and gathering at church as well as family and community gatherings and parties, Christmas shopping and sending Christmas cards, Christmas Caroling in community and nursing homes are among the many traditions enjoyed by Christians world wide.  The memories last but the Christmas season passes at lightening speed each year.  This year was special since we participated in a Community Cantata which gave 2 presentations.  We missed not doing this due to Covid .   What are traditions you have enjoyed and some you still do? What are the lasting things in your life this Christmas? Are you accumulating treasured memories as you would old and lovely family tree ornaments? Does your first love for the babe in the manger last in your heart through the years? Does your desire for God’s Word quiet you during the frantic rush of the holidays? When you take away all the temporary glitter, I hope that you find real love in your heart and in your home–that’s what Christmas is all about. Lord, may you be my lasting treasure all year ‘round!

12/21/21                                           AT THE BREAST OF THE LORD                                                             21

“I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 66:12–13

COMMENTS:  Mothers have a wonderful way of making their children feel safe and loved no matter what their age or situation.   Our daughter calls us most mornings on the way to work.  She id 42 but still tends to seek me for advice and support but to her mother for comfort and encouragement.  But then again, I did so with my parents for as long as they lived.  Many times I would go to my father for advice on work problems.  He didn’t know or understand the issue but listening and a general word of wisdom on how to seek God’s help was a what I needed reminded of. The warm blanket and soft touch and voice singing a child to sleep never is outgrown nor grows old.  My mother enjoyed singing our children to sleep but neither enjoyed it as much as our neighbor boy as a toddler, who my mother babysitted often. God desires to be not only our wise loving Father but our embracing loving Mother too.  The warm blanket of His love and Holy Spirit give each of us what we need most if we take the time to spend with Him and yield to His caring care.  If we do so, we can’t help but have a more joyful – efficient – blessed

Lord, I lie against your breast, my place of comfort. Today I honor you as my Father, mother, my everything.

12/22/21                             God’s Sovereign Timetable                          22

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.”

Luke 2:1,3

COMMENTS:  Evil and foolish kings and dictators and even poor common people have tried to force God’s hand by actions or words or other deeds to try to conform God’s Will into matching ours.   Some think they can outsmart or outmaneuver God.  Well, we are no match alone for satan and he has been trying to do that for melleniums.  At times it appears he  is winning but  then God simply speaks and life is snuffed out and the “tables are turned against them”.  They think love and compassion are weaknesses and long suffering is indecision.   They think if they act quickly and decisively, Well, Nebuchadnezzar was warned by Daniel not to let pride cause him to brag up his accomplishments, but a year after that warning, he forgot and before the words were out of his mouth, he  turned into an insane man who would act like a mad dog for the next 7 years.  When he asked God’s forgiveness, God forgave and restored him.   When we ask for God’s forgiveness – His mercy – His fellowship, God honors that request and does just that. Christ emptied Himself of His Glory and Divine Attributes and abilities in order to become human and live a human life with all it’s temptations and weaknesses and vulnerabilities and miseries and limitations.  Why? Well, in part so we could see His example of how he wants us to live and so we could relate  to Him.  He also did so in order to become the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for our sins so Father would be able to honor His law and still forgive us.  Christ emptied Himself so He would need to pray as we do and study as we do in order to discover and follow and have fellowship with His Father as we do.  As we journey through Advent and Christmas Day and another New Year, we need to follow His example and empty ourselves too.  But for us it is not emptying divine things but evil things.  By surrendering and yielding our wills to Him.  By turning from sinful habits and temptations and towards Him.  By flooding our minds and thoughts with His Word and conversation with Him in prayer.  By praising Him and giving Him thanks and praise often, we are emptying ourselves of evil and sinful past and current temptations and distractions so we can begin being filled with God’s Holy Spirit and the good He wants to fill us with.  Our minds and souls have limited capacity.   If we fill them with evil, there is no room left for Him, but if we empty ourselves and ask for His help to do so, we make room for Him and when we allow Him to fill us, there is no longer room for satan and his sinister schemes and temptations.   Unpleasant circumstances often have a way of being the best part of God’s most magnificent design. Performing their civic duty under the census posed a great inconvenience to Mary and Joseph. The distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem was no short hike over sixty miles of rugged terrain. Despite Joseph’s attempts to make the trip comfortable, it must have been extremely difficult for Mary, into her ninth month of pregnancy, to make the three‐day journey. But God decreed to have his Son born in the City of David, and he used an external circumstance–the census–to get the Holy Family from point A to point B. Despite the headache and hardship, God’s sovereign timetable was ticking off right on schedule. Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that only the right things, the comfortable things, are a part of God’s design. A good job, an adequate home, and money in the bank give us the impression that we must be doing something right. Then when inconvenience or hardship hits, we wonder what went wrong. Maybe nothing has gone wrong. Maybe we just need to realize that our most unpleasant circumstances, much like Mary and Joseph’s, often have a way of being the best part of God’s most magnificent design. God’s sovereign timetable is working in the life of your family, too. “O, help me to see, Lord, that every unpleasant circumstance in my life is, indeed, part of your wonderful design for my life. I thank you for the example of Joseph and Mary, who did not complain over the inconvenience of a census, a rough road, a cold night, or a crowded inn.”

12/23/21                                                                WHAT CHILD IS THIS?                                               23 

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”

Luke 1:31

COMMENTS:  God chose a way, a time, an audience to implement His one and only plan of redemption for His creation – for each of us.   The way was to live and die as a humble poor human being with all the human weaknesses and limitations. The time was during the time of world dominance by a powerful pagan conquerer (Rome). The announcement and revelation was made not to the powerful and mighty and wealthy, but to the humble –  poor – least influencial – least respected:  the shepherds and pagan “wise men from the east”.  Jesus was born – grew up – with a humble but righteous family that included a young girl of faith (Mary), her much older husband  (Joseph).  He spent 30 years learning and growing at the same rate and way as any other Jewish boy.  He then spent the next 3 years preaching – teaching – showing the crowds of listeners, his own disciples, what the Father is like – what God desires and requires of us – what His mission and goals were – and even how to fellowship directly with God by example and by instruction.   He showed God’s love and demonstrated how God loves.  But after only 3 years of ministry, much too short in our thoughts to be effective, He allowed himself to be falsely accused and executed by the most brutal method devised thus far.  He became God’s perfect sacrifice for our atonement and  redemption.  Hus death showed how determine satan was and is to stop God’s plan, but God’s plan and death and resurrection shows us how determined God was and is to implement that plan and how powerful He was and is to implement that plan.    The plan is unstoppable but the choice remains with each of us to reject or accept God’s plan for our own salvation and redemption – our forgiveness.  The plan necessary to implement that restored relationship and fellowship with each of us.

People haven’t changed much since Bible times, and the man on the street responds in much the same way. Are you, like the innkeeper, indifferent? Too busy? Are you still searching, looking for answers? Or maybe you’re frightened because the baby in the manger asks too much of you. Stop to think how you would have responded had you been the man on the streets of Bethlehem that night. There are a thousand different ways to respond to the news that a Savior has been born to deliver man from his sins. But the fact remains that until a child was born, this world was cloaked in utter darkness, abandoned, hopeless, and lost. But for unto us, a child is born, a Son is given! There is only one response: Worship and joyous praise! Lord Jesus, I only have one response to your birth: Joy! No more let sin and sorrow reign, nor thorns infest the ground! For you have come to make God’s blessings known far as the curse is found!

12/24/21                                      CHRISTMAS IN THE STABLE                                                          24         

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:6–7

COMMENTS:  Scripture tells us that Mary pondered and reflected on the events of that first Advent.   The visit by Gabriel, her pregnancy and now delivery of the Christ child, the visit by the shepherds and their testimony of their angelic visitors and their message to them, and then later the visit  of the Magi and how they learned about and found their way to Mary’s new baby.  She had so much to take in and reflect on, but also was the wonder of what would then be their life and God lead journey.  Well, not much time elapsed before Joseph was warned to take his family and flee to Egypt until Herod would die. We are told precious little about Joseph and not much more about Mary, but the evidence is strong to believe they both directly impacted the  writing of the Christmas story in scripture.  Joseph died some time between Jesus’ 12th birthday and beginning of His ministry while Mary continued to live well into the time of the first century church and possibly during writing of at some of the scripture gospels. We can only imagine what it was like for this family to live and work and be a part of community as Jesus grew in years and stature.  For Him to live a sinless life during those years must have been a source of awe and amazement for His parents, and He must have stood out among His classmates and among His own siblings.  His presence must have made His family anything but normal or average, but would they have kept Jesus’ mission and divine connection secret.   To do otherwise before that mission was to begin would likely have created a lot of division and strife with neighbors and within their home congregation too. Well, this remains unanswered but I’m sure someday in heaven we will discover many wonderful stories giving us details of those years that will serve to deepen our faith and awe for the   God we worship and serve.   The God who loves and sacrificed more for us than anyone else would or could.  AMEN?  AMEN!

“Speak to my heart, Lord Jesus, I am quiet and still before you.”

 12/25/21                                  STEP OUTSIDE                                                     25

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”

Isaiah 30:15

COMMENTS:   Today is Christmas, the day we celebrate Christ’s birth.   The day gifts are given, families gather, meals are shared, and memories are made and shared.  However, Christmas becomes a day of pain and even dread for those who lose a loved one.  Memories are enjoyed when shared and days like Christmas are best enjoyed with those who share those memories.  Of course, many of those memories are shared with children and grandchildren who are too young to have those memories, but are learned from their elder family.  It is sad when those memories are lost because they are not shared and passed on.   The stories of Christ’s birt – the visitation of Mary and Joseph by Gabriel, the angelic host visiting the shepherds, the Magi journey and visit, and many  other stories are preserved in scripture likely because Mary survived long enough to tell them to the disciples and early Christians.  But also because the early Christians and disciples were eager and hungry to hear them and share them too. Mary didn’t become bitter and allow sorrow to overwhelm her when faced special holidays without Joseph and then Jesus.   By sharing and allowing others in her life, the joy of those memories was preserved and strengthened in her soul and mind. But by sharing them, future generations discovered the wonder and power of the Gospel message and eternal life God made available then and in every generation since, including today and tomorrow.

Sometimes the most special moments of Christmas happen not during a crowded party but in cool, quiet silence. In the midst of bustling activity, God seeks out the quiet heart. What a contrast between the serene stable and the busy inn. If only someone had taken the time to peer out a back window, or leave the party to check on his donkey, just think what he would have discovered! Perhaps he would have seen the angels, the shepherds, and yes, even the Son of God. “Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, there’s room in my heart for you.”

 12/26/21                                                          THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS                 26 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

COMMENTS:  Today is the day after Christmas.  Just 6 more days and 2021 will be history and we’ll be in 2022.  How do you send the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.  Most must get back to work so quickly becomes a routine time again. Those still in school have a few more days off before going back to school. In the past, during my working career, I would plan many things including visiting some  relatives and shut-ins during that  week but usually was disappointed how little of my list I accomplished and how quickly that week evaporated.  Even though I’ve been retired for 9-1/2 years, I have concluded every week passes as  quickly as those end of year weeks while I was employed.  However, what tends to help is to plan at least 1-2 hours each morning for devotions including prayer and bible study and also devotional  journaling intending to nourish my soul but also those who I would share with through my blog and opportunities to share when used in bible studies and other public opportunities. I have been keeping this journal for 10 years now and have concluded doing so has been a tremendous blessing.  I have noticed time spent with Him each morning empowers and enables me to more efficiently and successfully accomplish planned and unplanned tasks and work and plans than when skip or miss doing so.  But even more important, doing so has helped me achieve and sustain a close relationship with our Savior and Heavenly Father. He has taught and showed me much and forgiven me far more and continues to do so.   I continue to be amazed discovering how perfect and Good He is but how far short of that goal I still am.   Yet He continues to love and guide and care for me… and you too…  Lord Jesus, this week people around the world heralded your birth and celebrated your gift of love. May the wonder of your birth remain with me all through this day as I fix my eyes on you. I quiet my heart, I relax my mind, I slow my pace so that I may meditate on your love, so pure and simple.

12/27/21                                   MORE THAN THE ANGELS                                      27  

“Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Ephesians 1:3

COMMENTS:  The Magi had the wisdom and writings of Daniel that  exceeded what their culture and pagan history offered.   They then used that information to point them to a star that would guide them to receive more.  The shepherd had a multitude of angels announcing and guiding them to receive what kings and powerful and wealthy would miss.  God chose to give His most precious gift not to the rich and powerful but  to the poor and neglected and suffering. Joni Earackson was paralyzed from the neck down as a teenager.  Looking  back, it is amazing how God has used her for great good, provided for her and blessed her beyond what most physically able achieved.  Yet, at the age of 25, she turned a corner and began to fully notice and appreciate what she did have and stop dwelling on what she didn’t have.  She became inspired by those who were more severely handicapped than she and learn from the drive and determination they pulled out to enable them to overcome and even excel.  She began to notice those things we would need to accept while also being determined to change what God wanted her to.

What are our spiritual blessings? Peace that is profound. A soul that is settled. Assurance of joy. Grace to let go and give. Life eternal, rich and free. A home in heaven. A best friend in God. Truly, we have more than the angels. “Luther says: ‘The sea of God’s mercies should swallow up all our particular afflictions.’ If you pour a pailful of water on the floor, it makes a great show, but if you throw it into the sea, there is no sign of it. Afflictions considered in themselves are great. But let them be considered in the sea of God’s mercies and then they are not so much. They are nothing in comparison.” – Jeremiah Burroughs* “I am content, Lord, with every spiritual blessing you have given me in Christ.”

12/28/21                                       GRANDMA GRACE’S  BIBLE                                      28

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

COMMENTS: I have my mother’s and my father’s bibles they used for bible study and devotions.  Neither were comfortable writing in their bibles, which I regret for I would have enjoyed reading their thoughts and comments.  But their lives and daily conversation and conduct gave me far more than a few words written in margins of their bibles would have. Ten years ago, our daughter gave me a devotional journal  to do just  that along with a note requesting that I use it and return to her as a legacy for her and her family.   I returned that journal to her the following Christmas, but practice motivated me to continue and share, which resulted in this electronic devotion and blog I have created, with help of a couple of others, that has been read and used by a few others in their ministry and study.   Some are in distant countries where freedom to evangelize and share the Gospel is limited or even prohibited by government or local culture.  Below is Joni Earackson Tada’s story she shared recently:

Grandma Grace’s Bible

By Joni Eareckson Tada

“When I travel with my friends, Bev and Francie, we always enjoy heading back to our hotel room after a busy day of appointments and speaking engagements. We put on our pajamas, pile into bed together, and open up the Bible for devotions. One evening it was Francie’s turn to lead the hymns and Scripture reading. She rummaged through her suitcase and brought out an old, tattered Bible. “This is my Grandma Grace’s,” she smiled as she snuggled between Bev and me. Francie cracked open the Bible. The binding was torn, and she carefully turned each delicate page. Francie tilted the book so we could read Grandma Grace’s faded scribbles in the margin. In old‐fashioned script, we got an up‐close look at this elderly woman’s love for the Lord Jesus. Her words were nearly a century old, but the love of which she wrote was anything but obsolete. As Francie read aloud her grandmother’s personal notes, I felt as though this woman shared the rhythm of my heart. We were kindred spirits. We could have been best friends. And her notes weren’t reminiscent of dusty days gone by, for each word was a powerful and poignant reminder that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There’s nothing old or worn out about the love of God. His love has not yellowed with age. It is neither fragile nor ragged at the edges. God’s love is as current now as it was a century ago, as fresh today as it will be tomorrow. Today, praise the Lord that he is the same, always loving, always merciful, and that with him there is no shadow of turning. Jesus, I’m amazed that you never change. You are always faithful. Your promises are time‐tested. Together with the saints of the ages, including Grandma Grace… I praise you!”

12/29/21                                             THE DESERT OF SOLITUDE                     29

“But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.”

Galatians 1:15–17

COMMENTS: Setting aside some time each day to spend alone with Christ in prayer and Bible study and listening and “waiting on Him” is vital to having a meaningful – intimate relationship with God.  It requires more discipline and work and patience that most realize or willing to invest, but the benefit to those who do is life changing and priceless.   For me, the best time is first thing early in the morning when interruptions and distractions are minimal and cares of the day haven’t invaded the day yet. Those became marvelous times of fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Having forfeited activities that were, for the most part good and needed, but not more than solitude with my Savior,  I was more free to pursue a pure‐hearted devotion to God. Lack of direction and even loneliness at times will then drive us deeper into the heart of our Savior. Likewise, distancing ourselves from things that helds our heart can be a kind of withdrawing into the desert of solitude where desires can be purified. It’s a way of detaching our desire from the magnetic pulls of this world in order to attach it more firmly to Christ. The love of God constrains us all, but it more tightly constrains some than others, making the soul restless until it finds its desires fulfilled in the Lord and in the Lord only. “Make me sensitive to your constraining love, Lord, and if you are calling me into a desert of solitude, please give me the courage to follow.”

12/30/21                            IN GOD’S EYES                                                              30

COMMENTS: We fail to comprehend that magnitude and value of the gift of salvation and the gift of eternal life and the gift of a heavenly home and fellowship with others and with Christ that goes with these gifts.  To have and enjoy them will be wonderful and never ending but to think about what it will be like for those who refuse these gifts.   These gifts come at no price or cost for us, but they come at being called a Christ follower which also brings a higher expectation of behavior.  Joni Eareckson Tada shared a memories of her youth of her father stopping her as she was running out the front door to meet with friends.  Her father reminded her of the standard of conduct expected.  He simply said “don’t forget that you’re an Eareckson”.  She knew what that meant.  She  recalled not liking that or idea of someone watching and judging her conduct and actions.

Evil loves to be in darkness hid from the cleansing and revealing power of light.  Times when we are family want to be alone, there are many good reasons like needing quiet and no distractions to do homework and some tasks.  Alone time to fellowship with God is an important part of each day. However, being alone can bring temptation to indulge in sinful thoughts or behavior with promise of lack of accountability. Well, like it or not, God is watching over us to protect and help us but also to make us accountable for our choices and actions.  But the impact and power and influence of a life changed.  A life forgiven and guided by the Holy Spirit. Allowing ourselves to be accountable to others may not be comfortable and isn’t easy but motivates us to live at the higher level even when others aren’t watching/ Well, as long as we live and breathe, we will fall short of living  like Jesus. The Good News is that God continues to give mercy and forgiveness, but reality is that without accountability, motivation to change becomes insufficient to motivate permanent change.  We are already accountable to God but need to be  accountable to others in order to feel the need and motivation to change

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). Fear must never be an incentive to obey, for it will only breed burdensome rule-keeping behavior. Please don’t fear the watchful eye of God but draw comfort from his scrutiny into your life. Let him protect you, let him guard you with his eye. “See me, Lord, and know my every thought and action. I invite you to look into everything I do today, everything I decide or say. Watch me, please, and may your steady and loving gaze be my incentive to love you steadily in return.”

12/31/21                           TAKING INVENTORY                                                             31 “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”   Psalm 105:4    COMMENTS:  Dr. David Jeremiah today shared the importance of the journey to heaven should be our focus and highest priority while living and breathing.  Scripture puts far more focus and amount of scripture to living the Christian life faithfully than it does on describing heaven.   Granted, we should study and learn – discover what is told us in scripture about what heaven is like and what we can expect when enter it’s gates.   But the life we live in the meantime determines how many and who will enter with or join us there.  Jesus is taking care of the preparation of us and of heaven for us.   We aren’t in a position to help Him with that, but are in a position to make decisions and conduct ourselves in such a way to leave a positive legacy that will influence help persuade or encourage or show others how  to receive God’s gift of salvation and daily fellowship and a place in heaven too.    Christ has promised to return to take us Home but also to stop and remove satan and all his evil.  To restore earth as He intended and rule as He has promised.   Today closes another year.  2021 is history and the hopes of 2022 will be better than 2021.  But Covid 19 is still spreading and hospitals are still being overwhelmed.  But we need to remember God only knows and has power and authority to determine and control any and all influences that future.   That future will happen either with us or without us.   God desires and gives opportunity for everyone to be part of the future He is preparing.  We can’t earn or pay for admission, but we do have the choice either to accept or refuse that gift.   Seem like a “no-brainer” but satan fools most to refuse, believing satan’s lies such as:    1. Tomorrow or “later” will be better.  There is plenty of time.         2.  You are good enough, a lot better than …         3.   I have too much to do, God will only add to my “to do list”         4.   I have some secrets I don’t want to give up or confess yet.         5.   I have goals and ambitions I don’t want to give up yet.               I’m sure God will expect me to give them up.         6.   I don’t have time to go to church or read my bible and pray   or at least not as much time as He will expect me to do.         7.    I am not ready to lead a bible study or preach or … I’m sure you can come up with many more excuses but truth is God doesn’t expect or ask us to do what we are not prepared to do or enabled by Him to do.  He tailors our walk with Him to match the gifts and abilities and personality He has uniquely created and places in our life and soul.   AMEN?  AMEN! Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  God willing, we will continue our journey of faith together next year…

As previously, below is the Gideon Bible Reference I have been included in monthly devotions for some time.  I decided to continue including this for benefit of new readers and to continue to make it accessible to any and all who read and share this journal.  I encourage you to use and share as God directs.  If you wish to contact me or access more devotions, below is link to access.   

In His Service,

Don McDaniel

Email: dmcdaniel12@zoominternet.net

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Don1951

If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 650 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present (https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/link-to-dons-devotional-journal-entries-2013/ )

You may also access my Facebook page and request to be my friend and automatically receive my daily journal publications daily.  My Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/Dondevotionals/ Many thanks to a pastor and dear brother in Christ in Nepal who set up the above Facebook page to help and encourage and give opportunity for more to   explore and use my devotional blog materials.

My hope and prayer are, my blog and devotional materials will become a source of encouragement

GIDEON BIBLE REFERENCE SCRIPTURES:
HELP IN TIME OF NEED:
 The way of salvation: John 14:6, Acts 16.32, Romans 10:9
 Comfort in time of loneliness: Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6
 Comfort in time of sorrow 2 Cor. 1:3-5, Romans 8:26-28
 Relief in time of suffering 2 Cor. 12:8-10, Hebrews 12:3-13
 Guidance in time of decision James 1:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6
 Protection in time of danger Psalm 91, Psalm 121
 Courage in time of fear Hebrews 13:5-6, Ephesians 6:10-18
 Peace in time of turmoil Isaiah 26:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7
 Rest in time of weariness Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 23
 Strength in time of temptation James 1:12-16, 1Cor. 10:6-13
 Warning in time of indifference Gal. 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26-31
 Forgiveness in time of conviction Isaiah 1:18, 1Jn, 1:7-8
SUGGESTED READINGS (HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS):
 The creation Genesis 1-2
 The fall of man Gen 3
 The flood of Noah Gen 6-9
 The call of Abraham Gen 12:1-9
 Deliverance of Israel from Egypt Exodus 11-14
 Dedication of the temple 2 Chronicles 5-7
 The Babylonian Captivity of Israel 2 Chr. 36
 Revival of Israel after captivity Nehemiah 8-9
 Promises of the coming Messiah Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps22, Is.53
 The Birth of Christ Mtt1:18-2:23, Lk1:26-2:40
 The Triumphal Entry Lk19:28-44
 The last supper Mk14:2-26
 The Garden of Gathsemane Mtt. 26:36-46
 The Betreyal of Jesus Mtt. 26-47-56
 The arrest and trial of Jesus Jn 18:12-19:16
 The death of Christ Lk 23:26-56, Jn19:16-42
 The resurrection of Christ Lk24, Jn20
 The ascension of Christ Acts 1:1-12
 The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts2:1-21
 The conversion of Paul Acts 9:1-31
 The heroes of Faith Hebrews 11
SUGGESTED READINGS (SPIRITUAL STANDARDS)
 The 10 commandments Exodus 20:1-17
 The sermon on the mount Mtt 5-7
 The golden rule Mtt7:12
 The greatest commandment Mtt 22:36-40
 The righteousness of Faith Romans 3:19-28
 The Royal Law James 2:8, Romans 13:8-10
 Christ’s New Commandment John 13:34-35
 Christian love 1 Cor. 13
DYNAMIC DOCTRINES
 God’s greatness and man’s weakness Isaiah 40
 The two fold Revelation of God Psalm 19
 Man’s universal guilt Rom 1:18-2:16
 Atonement Leviticus 16, Romans 5
 The new birth John 3
 Justification by Faith Eph 2:1-10, Gal 2:16-21
 Christ, the Good Shepherd Ps 23, John 10:1-18
 Christ’s intercession for His Own Jn 17, Heb 7:25
 The High Priestly Work of Christ Heb. 7:25, Heb. 4:14-16
 Christ’s Humiliation and Exhaltation Philippians 2:5-11
 Resurrection of the Christian Dead 1 Cor. 16, 1Thess. 4:13-18
 The second coming of Christ Mtt 24, 2 Thess. 1:7-2:12
 The Last Judgment Rev. 20:10-15
 The New Heaven and New Earth Rev. 21-22
PRACTICAL PRECEPTS:
 Christian Home relationships Eph. 5:22-6:4
 A model wife and mother Prov. 31:10-31
 Marriage and divorce Mtt 19:3-9, Malachi 2:14-16
 The sin of adultery Prov. 6:23-33
 The prodigal son Luke 15:11-32
 Employer-employee relationships Col 3:22-4:1
 Business and prof. principles Ps15, Prov. 3:1-12
 Seperation of worldliness 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, 1 Jn 2:15-17
 Decisions of doubtful things Rom.14
 Christian fruitfulness Jn15
 Heavenly wisdom James 3:14-18
 Christian responsibilities Rom. 12-13
 Christian stewardship 2 Cor. 8-9
 Christian witnessing Mtt 28:18-20, Jm17:18-20
 Prevailing prayer Mtt 6:5-15, Philippians 4:6-7
 Heavenly priorities Mtt 6:25-33
 Brevity of man’s days Ps 90
 The causes of war James 4:1-4
 The value of the soul Mk. 8:36-37
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT:
 ITSELF: 2 Tim. 3:15-16 , Psalm 19:7
 GOD: Psalm 99:9, 1 Tim.1:17, Isaiah 45:21-22
 MAN: Gen. 1:27, Gen 2:7, Isaiah 43:7
 HEAVEN: Rev.21:3-4, 21:27
 SIN: Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23
 HELL: 2 Thess 1:8-9, Rev. 20:15
 CHRIST –HIS ADVENT Micah 5:2, Mtt.1:21-23, Lk 2:10-11
 CHRIST – HIS PERSON John 10:30, 14:6
 CHRIST –HIS WORK Lk. 22:19-20, 1 Peter 2:24, Col.1:14, Isaiah 53:5-6
 CHRIST-HIS RESURRECTION Lk. 24:36,39, 1 Cor. 15:3-4
 FAITH Acts 20:20-21, Heb. 11:6, Eph. 2:8-9
 LIFE John 3:3, 1:12-13, 3:36, 2 Cor.5:17

GIDEON BIBLE REFERENCE SCRIPTURES: