Tuesday, December 17

Luke 22:54-69 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. (v.54)

Yesterday we focused on Jesus healing the slave’s ear. Considering what that group of soldiers and citizens saw, it amazes me that Jesus was hauled away at all. I know the soldiers were under orders to capture Jesus, but I wonder if any of them told about the healing miracle to the high priest. Would it have made a difference anyway? I doubt it would have changed history, but it would have added to the fact that they knowingly turned their hearts away from the truth.

But then again, I must face the sad reality that I have done the same thing. Jesus has remarkably changed my life. He’s miraculously healed me in several ways, given me wisdom beyond my years to handle difficult circumstances, and blessed me with the riches of a loving family. He’s given me eternal life and the opportunity for a growing relationship with him. Yet, I too often choose to turn from the truth. It’s as though I physically close my eyes to him and go my separate way.

Dear Father, please forgive me.

Isaiah 9:1-7; Psalm 45; 2 Peter 1:12-21

Wednesday, December 18

Psalm 119:49-72 When I think of your ways, I turn my feet to your decrees. (v.59)

King David reiterates in today’s reading how much he values God, His nature and precepts; but also how kindly God has dealt with him.

Verse 59 is unusually worded, and it piqued my curiosity. David writes that when he considers the nature and workings of our heavenly Father, he turns his feet to His decrees.

At first reading, I assumed it was a picture of David walking or running toward God and His principles, but the phrase “turn my feet” instead of run or walk was used. Could this be an attempt to show that David purposed to go God’s way by physically aiming his body in a certain direction? After all, our bodies do completely follow where our feet take us. I have yet to experience another part of my body defying my feet!

This verse demonstrates to me that with our whole being we must purpose to follow God. It’s as if we might need to point our feet in the direction God has chosen and go!

Isaiah 9:8-17; 2 Peter 2:1-10a; Mark 1:1-8

Thursday, December 19

Psalm 50 Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me. (v.23a)

Six days until Christmas and the pressure mounts to get all the gifts we need for others. Have you thought about what you might receive? What do you think you’ll get from your child? A card? Handmade gift? Gift certificate?

What if your child’s gift was a written or verbal message out of their depth of feelings for you. What if they praised you for the wonderful parent you are and blessed you for all you’d done for them? Would you rather have this gift of love or a material gift?

Psalm 50 assures us that any material things we have, God does not want. They are His anyway. More than money, filling positions at church or serving on committees, God wants our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Our heavenly Father wants to hear from His children more than anything else.

This Christmas season can be the start of a new relationship with Abba Father by daily giving Him the gift He asks for—words of love from us.

Isaiah 9:18—10:4; 2 Peter 2:10b-16; Matthew 3:1-12

Friday December 20

2 Peter 2:17-22 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. (v.21)

In the second chapter of Peter have you been struck by the warning to those who would live an unrighteous life and would entice others to do so?

Today’s verse diverges to also warn those who indulge in sin, then come to know God and be transformed, only then to return to that sin again. The comparison to a dog returning to its vomit or a pig to the mud hits hard!

I believe many of us who try hard to follow Christ sometimes slip up and return to an old lifestyle. Addictions are a strong temptation, and we all have some that we work hard with God to overcome. When we’ve experienced God’s redemption and love, returning to that addiction feels worse than when we never knew Him because we’ve experienced the freedom of His cleansing.

Today, dear Father, guard our hearts and minds. Lead us in the way of everlasting life.

Isaiah 10:5-19; Psalms 40, 54; Matthew 11:2-15

Saturday, December 21

Jude 17-25 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit. (v.20)

At the time this was written, there were those who led people astray from God. This is also true today. Jude sets up specific things we can do to guard ourselves against this.

He tells us to build up our holy faith. I believe he used the word holy to imply this faith building process would come directly from God through reading His word. If we derive our faith only from reading religious material or from teachings, we may not always have true faith building material.

Also, he says to pray in the Holy Spirit. Since it is that part of the Trinity who lives in and guides the hearts of Christians, we are told to use this power when we pray. That may mean to some to speak in a prayer language or to others to ask the Holy Spirit to guide their words.

Dear Father, thank you for the Bible and for the Holy Spirit to guide our words when we pray.

Isaiah 10:20-27; Psalm 55; Luke 3:1-9

Sunday, December 22

John 3:16-21 “For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.” (v.16 TPT)

At Christmas time I put a lot of thought into gift giving. I try to personalize each gift for the person I am giving it to. I think about their preferences, personality, needs, and what would bring them pleasure and joy.

God does the same! How many amazing and thoughtful gifts does God give us? And the greatest of all, the gift of His Son, Jesus. Through Jesus we also receive the gift of eternal life. Eternal. Meaning forever. To live forever. Really? Truly?

I can’t really grasp this. Living forever. A perfect life, a perfect body, in perfect love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Can you really comprehend the weight and miraculousness of this? Thank You, God, for this unfathomable gift.

Isaiah 42:1-12; Psalms 24, 29; Ephesians 6:10-20

Monday, December 23

Psalm 62 God’s glory is all around me! His wraparound presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength. Trust only in God every moment! Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him. Believe me when I tell you—he will help you! (vv.7-8)

I have a lot of problems in my life. Several challenges, including relationships that require quite a bit of effort. Sometimes I have felt that many other people do not have the amount or intensity of such struggles. This is not healthy thinking, because I know every person on the planet has issues. They just look different than mine.

So, when my mind and thoughts go here, I turn to God. He alone is what I need—His Presence and life-giving strength.

I used to think if I could just believe and behave rightly, all would be well. But now I see I simply need to behold and become. I take time to sit in God’s Presence and let Him wrap around me. He invites me to pour out all my problems, struggles, and what I want Him to change. It is mostly me that needs to change.

And I am changed when I take time to behold Him and become more like Him by just being in His Presence. Pour out your heart to Him today. He is here. Now.

Isaiah 11:1-9; Psalm 61; Revelation 20:1-10; John 5:30-47

Tuesday, December 24

Revelation 22:12-17, 21 “Come,” says the Holy Spirit and the Bride in divine duet. Let everyone who hears this duet join them in saying, “Come.” Let everyone gripped with spiritual thirst say, “Come.” And let everyone who craves the gift of living water come and drink it freely. “Come.” (v.17)

From the beginning of the Bible in the book of Genesis we see God at work. And then inviting humankind into His work through creation. He created us. Male and female. He walked with us in the cool of the day. He was present and asked us to walk and talk with Him in the world He made for us.

And throughout the entire Bible, God continues to seek us out and invite us into His Presence, work, and kingdom of abundant life. He seeks. He pursues. He chases after us and our hearts. Even when we turn away, run away, or hide, He keeps chasing us with His love.

I love how God decided to end the Bible in Revelation 22. He comes full circle. He closes His Word with an invitation. Come. You are invited. You are wanted. You are loved. Everything is bought and paid for. Simply come. Have you accepted His invitation?

Isaiah 33:17-22; Psalms 45, 46; Luke 1:67-80