Ps. 145:18 "The Lord
is close to all who call on Him."
Prov. 30:5 "Every
word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection." NLT
THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE.
REJOICE.
December Devotionals
01/01 John
2:1-2
The next day Jesus' mother was a guest at a wedding celebration in the
village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to
the celebration.
MARY
Mary loved her son and was willing to listen to Him even when she didn’t
understand what was happening. When you love Jesus you obey Him. What are
you doing that Jesus has directed you to quit doing? What are you not doing
that Jesus has called you over and over to do? Do it and you will be
changed.
01/02 John
2:3-5
The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother spoke to
him about the problem. "They have no more wine," she told him. "How does
that concern you and me?" Jesus asked. "My time has not yet come." But his
mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
MARY
Again Mary believes her son and does what He has asked her to do. The end
result is amazing and far beyond what anyone had though about. Jesus is
announcing His arrival as a change agent in the world. He changes us from
dead without Christ to alive in Christ Jesus.
01/03 John
2:6-9
Six stone water pots were standing there; they were used for Jewish
ceremonial purposes and held twenty to thirty gallons each. Jesus told the
servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled to the
brim, he said, "Dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies." So
they followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the
water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of
course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.
AMAZED
The servants were amazed. They knew who had done this. This first miracle
is significant of the rest of His ministry. Jesus is always changing the
good to best, the worst to excellent, a failure to victory. Jesus is alive
and He is here with us even now.
01/04 John
2:10-11
"Usually a host serves the best wine first," he said. "Then, when
everyone is full and doesn't care, he brings out the less expensive wines.
But you have kept the best until now!" This miraculous sign at Cana in
Galilee was Jesus' first display of his glory. And his disciples believed in
him.
JESUS
Jesus will help us deliver a life that glorifies the Lord until the day we
crossover into heaven. Our life is but a mist. We are here and gone. But
when we leave we are going to be with Jesus. Rejoice about your unique and
valuable life. Jesus died for you.
01/05 John
2:12
After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother,
his brothers, and his disciples.
JESUS
Capernaum, the hometown of Jesus was only 20 miles from Cana so it was an
easy walk. This was a relaxed time for Jesus and His disciples. This was a
time of rest before they would head to Jerusalem. We all need rest. Even
the Son of God had to take a bit of a rest. An old saying says that
exhaustion makes cowards of us all. Be careful with your life and get
enough rest or you may find your self overwhelmed by the world.
01/06 John
2:13
It was time for the annual Passover celebration, and Jesus went to
Jerusalem.
JERUSALEM
The entire land bustled with activity getting ready for the Passover. The
roads were congested. It was a festive time of year. Jesus was going to
Jerusalem. Everything Jesus did was preceded by fervent prayer. We know He
prayed about this trip and was ready for the things that He would face.
Have you prayed about your day? I know we often think our lives are
unimportant but that isn’t true. Jesus places great value on you and your
life. He died for you. He has a plan for you life and you will need to
spend time with Him in prayer to know each day how to deal with that day.
Stay on track. Spend time with Jesus.
01/07 John
2:14
In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for
sacrifices; and he saw money changers behind their counters.
JESUS
This made Jesus angry. I suspect that you like me have sometimes felt that
we were angry for the Lord. Somebody offends the church and we might be
ready to jump back at them. Did you spend time with Jesus today? Do you
know how Jesus would have you react? Make sure you are on solid ground when
you get angry for the Lord.
01/08 John
2:15-16
Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple.
He drove out the sheep and oxen, scattered the money changers' coins over
the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who
sold doves, he told them, "Get these things out of here. Don't turn my
Father's house into a marketplace!"
MERCHANTS
These merchants were crooks and scalawags. They charged usurious fees,
extorted money from the people, sold unclean animals at exorbitant prices,
had kickback arrangements with the religious leaders and many other evil
things that were besmirching the House of God: the Temple. Jesus knew this
and demanded that these evil ones immediately leave the Temple area.
Remember the importance of bringing a clean heart before the Lord. Our
faith isn’t just another part of our busy lives, it is our life.
01/09 John
2:17
Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: "Passion
for God's house burns within me."
JESUS
Jesus was totally committed to the Father. He spent the time He needed with
the Father to live a perfect life. We too can live a perfect life before
God but we cannot do it without devoting ourselves to the Lord.
01/10 John
2:18
"What right do you have to do these things?" the Jewish leaders demanded.
"If you have this authority from God, show us a miraculous sign to prove
it."
MIRACLE
Always the people wanted a miracle. Jesus had already done so many
miracles. One more miracle on demand wouldn’t change how these leaders
thought. They hated Jesus. We must be careful not to think that we can’t
do anything for the Lord because we can’t do miracles. Miracles don’t
change people, Jesus does. Tell them about Jesus. We do not have to fear
anyone. If God is for us who can be against us?
01/11 John
2:19
"All right," Jesus replied. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I
will raise it up."
TRUTH
Jesus always told the truth. Even if the people didn’t want to hear the
truth Christ told the truth. We should examine our conversations. Are we
committed to telling the truth or just to tell a convenient word? Speak the
truth with kindness.
01/12 John
2:20
"What!" they exclaimed. "It took forty-six years to build this Temple,
and you can do it in three days?"
VISION
We are so limited in our wisdom and knowledge. Even the most brilliant of
us knows so very little about our universe. Jesus created all things and
knows all things. We can have fellowship with Him. He will tell us what we
need to know for our daily life.
01/13 John
2:21-22
But by "this temple," Jesus meant his body. After he was raised from the
dead, the disciples remembered that he had said this. And they believed both
Jesus and the Scriptures.
SACRIFICE
Jesus
gave His life as a sacrifice for us. He died in our stead. Think today
about the magnitude of His sacrifice for you. Remember when you were dead
in your trespasses and sin. Can you imagine still being lost and away from
God? Thank Jesus today for His gift of life to you.
01/14 John
2:23
Because of the miraculous signs he did in Jerusalem at the Passover
celebration, many people were convinced that he was indeed the Messiah.
SIGNS
Many folks think that if they saw a sign from Jesus that they would
believe. Faith is believing without seeing. Christ was here and He died
for us. His sacrifice pays the price of our sin. A miracle will not help
us see that any better than the Word of God presents it to us now.
01/15 John
2:24
But Jesus didn't trust them, because he knew what people were really
like. No one needed to tell him about human nature.
PEOPLE
People are dead in their trespasses and sin. Jesus is a choice. Tragically
too few choose Jesus. Many choose to live fearful lives that testify to the
meaninglessness of life without Christ.
01/16 John
3: 1-2
After dark one evening, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a
Pharisee, came to speak with Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "we all know that
God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough that
God is with you."
PEOPLE
People do a lot of talking. Sometimes they even talk just to hear
themselves talk. Nicodemus was talking and not connecting. He was on the
fence. He wanted to believe in Jesus but he didn’t. Make sure you aren’t
sitting on the fence waiting for another miracle to bolster your belief.
Believe in Jesus.
01/17 John
3: 3
Jesus replied, "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never
see the Kingdom of God."
JESUS
Jesus knew what was in the heart of Nicodemus. He got straight to the
point-Nicodemus until you believe we can’t talk. His point went right over
Nicodemus’ head. Lest you believe you will not have the life and light to
discuss spiritual things. Believe in Jesus and you will be saved.
01/18 John
3: 4
"What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into
his mother's womb and be born again?"
JESUS
Jesus was speaking plainly and Nicodemus was just not getting it. People
too often just don’t get it. They want to decide how they are going to
develop a relationship with God. They want their way. There is only one
way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ the Lord.
01/19 John
3: 5-6
Jesus replied, "The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without
being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life,
but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven.
LINE
We cannot cross the line from human life to spiritual life except through
Jesus Christ. Christ gives us new life. Holy Spirit life comes from Jesus
and is a gift that we can receive by believing in Him.
01/20 John
3: 7-8
So don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just
as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is
going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."
SPIRIT
We are not in control. Try as we might our life is at the mercy of time.
Pain, sorrow, loss and other things that plague us happen and we are
helpless to stop them. What we can do is accept Christ as Lord and He will
give us new life. That new life will equip us to deal with all of the ups
and downs of life and a solid foundation to overcome that vagaries and
frustrations of life. Life in Christ is a life that is under the control of
the Lord.
01/21 John
3: 9
"What do you mean?" Nicodemus asked.
DEAD
Nicodemus did not have spiritual life. He may have gotten it later but at
this point he was lost. Christ had already outlined what new life meant and
how the Lord was willing to freely give this new life. Anytime you talk
with someone that is lost they will not understand what you are talking
about when you talk about spiritual things. They may know the right answers
but if they don’t know Jesus they don’t have spiritual life.
01/22 John 3:10-15
Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't
understand these things? I assure you, I am telling you what we know and
have seen, and yet you won't believe us. But if you don't even believe me
when I tell you about things that happen here on earth, how can you possibly
believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven? For only I, the Son of
Man, have come to earth and will return to heaven again. And as Moses
lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of
Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will
have eternal life.
POWER
Jesus has the power to give us new life, eternal life, that is like the life
that He has. We can come into the family of God and be a partner together
with Jesus sharing the Good news. This is a choice that we have to make.
01/23 John
3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone
who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
LIFE
God’s Word to you is that you can have eternal life. This life is in the
Lord Jesus and we can only have it by faith in Him. Listen to the Word of
God and if you don’t know Jesus ask Him into your heart today.
01/24 John
3:17-18
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.
"There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not
trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.
TRUST
Trust is a choice. Do I believe God and accept His gift or do I think that
I can do it myself? Trust God. Learn about Him. Spend time with Him and
rejoice.
01/25 John
3:19-21
Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the
world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions
were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness.
They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they
will be punished. But any who do what is right come to the light gladly, so
everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."
LIGHT
Jesus
Christ is the light of the world. We can choose to accept Him as Lord and
Savior. But many people refuse to bend the knee to Christ. They are
arrogant and stubborn thinking that they can provide for themselves. This
is tragic. We cannot demand that God do things our way.
01/26 John
3:22-23
Afterward Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem, but they stayed in
Judea for a while and baptized there. At this time John the Baptist was
baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there and
people kept coming to him for baptism.
JESUS
Jesus knew everything that was happening. He bent His will to the will of
the Father and proceeded to do those things that would take Him straight to
the cross. The Lord knows what you are struggling with and what you will
struggle with in the future. He is seeking time with you so that He can
equip you to accomplish your plan that the Father has laid out for you.
Spend time with Jesus.
01/27 John
3:24-26
This was before John was put into prison. At that time a certain Jew
began an argument with John's disciples over ceremonial cleansing. John's
disciples came to him and said, "Teacher, the man you met on the other side
of the Jordan River, the one you said was the Messiah, is also baptizing
people. And everybody is going over there instead of coming here to us."
JOHN
No one was greater than John. Jesus paid him a high accomplishment. John
simply wanted to do those things that were pleasing to the Father. He did.
We might say no but the truth is that John did exactly what the Father
called him to do and he gave his life to do it.
01/28 John
3:27
John replied, "God in heaven appoints each person's work.
VALUE
God assigns each one of us work to do. We choose whether we will accept His
assignment. His personal attention to our life gives us value. Each one of
us has significant value and as a creation of His we have built in value.
Next time you are feeling like a failure or feeling lonely and blue remember
God loves you.
01/29 John
3:28-31
You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I
am here to prepare the way for him – that is all. The bride will go where
the bridegroom is. A bridegroom's friend rejoices with him. I am the
bridegroom's friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. He must
become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. "He has come
from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my
understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from
heaven.
WISDOM
Wisdom comes from God. It is an insight that we cannot learn by study but
instead is a step from known to known through the unknown. John spoke as
directed by the Spirit of God. We now have knowledge as a result of the
wisdom given by God to John so that we would hear proclamation that Jesus
came to us from the Father.
01/30 John
3:32-34
He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells
them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For he is sent by
God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or
limit.
JESUS
Jesus said that we would have the opportunity to have a greater ministry
than He had. We only have to obey the Father and trust Him to do the kind
of ministry that Jesus did. He healed the sick, raised the dead, loved the
poor and the down and out and He was always careful to do all those things
that gave glory to God. Go and do likewise.
01/31 John
3:35-36
The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything.
And all who believe in God's Son have eternal life. Those who don't obey
the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains
upon them."
OBEY
Obey Jesus. Do what He says. Live the way He lived. Get to know Him
better each day. Obey Jesus.
November 2009 Devotionals
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contact Clay:
clay@lifesongs.com
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Scripture quotations are
taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright© 1996. Used by permission of
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NASB Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New American
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