DAY 1 – November 30, 2009
THE STORIES OF CHRISTMAS
TITLE: “THE LORD IS WITH YOU”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28
As you walk into some stores this Christmas season, you will
be greeted by friendly people who will welcome you into the store. As you
encounter people this Christmas season, you will probably be greeted by a
variety of people as you go about your daily activities. Image what it would be
like to be greeted by an angel. The scripture tells us that in the sixth month,
God sent the angel Gabriel to
Have you ever had a situation where someone called you by name and you did not even know they knew your name or who you were? I wonder if Mary was surprised the angel of the Lord knew who she was. Imagine what it would be like to have an angel appear to you and tell you that you were highly favored by God! This virgin may have not have been popular or known around the world, but God knew her. Not only did God know who she was, but the angel told Mary the Lord was with her.
Charles Hodge was a well-known theologian of yesterday. In
one of his books, he wrote about his early years at
Will you live in the awareness of God’s presence today? As you go about your daily business, the Lord has promised to be with you. In the midst of the challenges and opportunities of the day, the Lord has promised to be with you. As you lift up Jesus today, the Lord has promised to be with you. Yes, you have the privilege of living today in the presence of the Divine.
When Jesus sent His disciples out to fulfill the great commission, He gave them the promise, “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20. It was the promise of God’s presence. God has promised to be with His people today. The angel made Mary aware that the Lord was with her. Will you live in the awareness of His presence?
DAY 2 – December 1, 2009
THE STORIES OF CHRISTMAS
TITLE: “DO NOT BE AFRAID”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.’” Luke 1:30
It had not been just another ordinary day for Mary. God had
stepped into her life in an unexpected way that left her perplexed. Her visit
by the angel and the words spoken greatly troubled her heart. In the midst of
all of her emotions, the angel said to her, “Do
not be afraid.”
Would you take a moment to repeat those words, “Do not be afraid?” I would encourage you to say them again, but this time put in your name. For example, in my case I would say, “Do not be afraid, David.” I would encourage you to repeat that a couple of times to yourself. This morning in my own personal devotion time, I reflected on Psalm 46. The first two verses of that Psalm says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2. As I reflected on the words, therefore we will not fear, I begin to finish the line with a list of things we need not fear. Because God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, I need not fear.
I personally read a devotional by prolific writer, E. Stanley Jones, every year. Here are some words he wrote about fear. He said, “I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath—these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely—these are my native air.”
How true it is that when we live in the land of faith, we need not fear. The Psalmist reminds us that we need not fear because of who God is. Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?” One of my favorite poets is Annie Johnson Flint. In closing this devotional, take a few moments to reflect on these words from one of her poems.
“I know not, but God
knows; Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All my unfolding days to Him are plain and clear.
Each
anxious, puzzled “Why?” From
doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought: I know not, but He knows.”
Faith is the antidote for fear. You can trust God today.
DAY 3 – December 2, 2009
THE STORIES OF CHRISTMAS
TITLE: “THE NAME JESUS”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus.” Luke 1:31
I want to invite you to join me in just reflecting on the name of Jesus for a few moments through some various descriptions, writings, and songs about Jesus. Evangelist of yesterday, Billy Sunday, once said in a sermon that the reason there were so many names in the Bible for Jesus, was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express. Let me share some of those names with you. Jesus is described as Adam, Advocate, Almighty, Alpha & Omega, Amen, Arm of the Lord, Author and Perfector
of our Faith, Source of Eternal Salvation, Ruler of God’s Creation, Beloved Son, Blessed and only Ruler, Branch, Bread of Life, Author of Salvation, Chief Shepherd, Christ of God, Consolation of Israel, Capstone, Counselor, Creator, Rising Sun, Deliverer, Gate, Faithful Witness, First and Last, Good Shepherd, Great High Priest, Head of the Church, Holy One, Horn of Salvation, I Am, Immanuel, Righteous One, King, King of Kings, King of the Ages, Lamb of God, Life, Light of the World, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Lord of All, Lord of Glory, Lord of Lords, Man of Sorrows, Mediator, Mighty One, Morning Star, Nazarene, Prince of Peace, Redeemer, Resurrection & Life, Rock, Root of David, Rose of Sharon, Savior, Son of David, Son of God, Son of the Most High, Son of Man, True Light, True Vine, Truth, Witness &Word.
Gregory of Nazianzus said this about Jesus in A.D., 381,
“He began His ministry
by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.”
Audrey Mieir penned these words, “His name is Wonderful; His name is Wonderful: His name is Wonderful-Jesus my Lord. He is the mighty King, Master of Everything. His name is Wonderful-Jesus, my Lord.”
The Gaithers wrote this song, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something
about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, Like the
fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
let all heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and Kingdoms
will all pass away,
But there’s something
about that name.”
DAY 4 – December 3, 2009
THE STORIES OF CHRISTMAS
TITLE: “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
Since the days of the ancient Greeks, man had been trying to
run a four-minute mile? Someone found the old records of how the Greeks tried
to accomplish this. They had wild animals chase the runners, hoping that would
make them run faster. Nothing worked, so
they decided it was physically impossible for a human being to run a mile in
four minutes. Our bone structure was all wrong, the wind resistance was too
great, and our lung power was inadequate. There were a million reasons. One day
one human being proved that the doctors, the trainers, and the athletes
themselves were all wrong. On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister, a 25-year-old
British medical student, became the first man to run a mile in less than four
minutes. His time was 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds, achieved at the Iffley Road Track in
Mary asked how the things the angel said would take place. What the angel had said seemed impossible. The angel made it clear that everything that had been announced was possible. It was possible, because with God nothing is impossible. Even the amazing miracle of the incarnation of God’s Son was possible, for nothing is impossible with God.
Back in the seventies, I had the privilege of serving as a
Youth Pastor at the
For a period of time, we had an Associate Pastor by the name of Rev. Murray, who led the music. I believe his favorite chorus was, “Nothing is Impossible.” One of the reasons I believe it was is that we sang it every Sunday. The words of the song went like this;
“Nothing is impossible
when you put your trust in God;
Nothing is impossible when you're trusting in His Word.
Hearken to the voice of God to thee;
Is there anything too hard for Me?
Then put your trust in God alone and rest upon His Word;
For ev'rything, O, ev'rything,
yes ev'rything is possible with God.” Words and Music by Eugene L. Clark
Everyday God is doing impossible things in people’s hearts and lives. Everyday God does the impossible. Nothing is impossible with God.
DAY 5 – December 4, 2009
THE STORIES OF CHRISTMAS
TITLE: “THE LORD’S SERVANT”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “I am the Lord’s Servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:38
Mary identified herself as the Lord’s servant. Simply put,
she surrendered to His leadership. Some
years later, Jesus Himself, would demonstrate this same perspective of
submission. At
Jesus accepted the role of a servant as prophesied by Isaiah the Prophet. Jesus rebuked His disciples for seeking privilege or position admonishing them to find greatness in service. Jesus exemplified the role of the servant in John 13, when He washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus than gave this word of instruction to His followers about humble service. He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:14-15
The Apostle Paul described himself as a servant of the Lord. He begins his letter to the Romans with the words, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.” Romans 1:1. The letter of Titus begins with the words, “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.” Titus 1:1. The Apostle Paul sees himself as a person under the authority of the Lord. His letter in I Timothy begins, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.” I Timothy 1:1. He was a man on assignment by His Master. As a servant of the Lord, he was committed to doing the will of the Lord. In I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, and II Timothy, all have the phrase, “by the will of God,” in their opening verses.
What does it mean for you to say with Mary today, “I am the Lord’s Servant.” Ask the Lord to make you the servant He wants you to be.
“Make Me a Servant,
Humble and Meek,
Lord Let me lift up
those who are weak.
And may the prayer of
my heart always be.
Make me a servant.
Make me a servant.
Make me a servant
today.” Kelly Willard