Ps. 145:18 "The Lord
is close to all who call on Him." NLT
THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE.
REJOICE.
12/1 John 1:5
The
light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
POWER
We serve a risen savior. He cannot be stopped by the powers of this world.
Jesus is eternal. Our relationship with Him is eternal. This world cannot
destroy us.
12/2
John 1:10
But although the world was made through him, the world didn't recognize
him when he came.
SAVIOR
Jesus is not under the authority of man. The Christ is King of Kings and
Lord of Lords. He is alive and reigns in each one of us who have asked Him
into our hearts. Rejoice as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child.
Jesus is alive.
12/3
John 1:12
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become
children of God.
OWNERSHIP
We belong to Him. He is Lord and we are in His family. He has called us to
faithful living and servant lifestyles. We take the life of Christ into the
world. We are the ones that proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ by
what we say and what we do.
12/4 Isaiah 40:3-5
Listen! I hear
the voice of someone shouting, "Make a highway for the LORD through the
wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God.
Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth
off the rough spots. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all
people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!"
CONTROL
God has a plan. It is Jesus. Jesus saves us from our sin and makes us
whole again. Christ is our solid rock, our peace, our forgiveness, our
guidance and life itself. When we have Jesus we have what we need to
succeed in life.
12/5 Psalm 85:8
listen
carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his people,
his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways.
WORD
Jesus is the Word of God. He speaks life to us and equips us to be a part
of His work in this world. Jesus in our heart radically changes us. We see
life through His eyes and develop habits of obedience.
12/6 2 Peter 3:3
First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who
will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire.
EVIL
Evil seeks to kill, steal and destroy. Evil always veils its actions with
deceit. To often a person is led by evil while they are thinking they are
getting their way. They are simply surrendering to a life of slavery. The
end result of evil’s actions is always death.
12/7 Mark 1:1
Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
GOOD NEWS
Good news-our lives are not desperate. Good news-we count. Good news-each
one of us has an important ministry to perform. Good news-we can be in the
family of God. Jesus Christ is God’s good news to man.
12/8 John 1:1
In the beginning the
Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the
beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he
didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to
everyone.
LIFE
Jesus brings life to man from God. This is a great stumbling block for the
rich and the intelligent. Self-sufficiency blinds the strong. Dependence
blinds the weak. Unless we ask Christ to forgive us of our sin and save us
we will not have life. If we ask Jesus to save us He is faithful to do it.
Our mortality separates us from eternity and it is so very hard for people
to accept God’s way.
12/9 Isaiah 9:2,
6-7
The
people who walk in darkness will see a great light – a light that will shine
on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow. For a child is
born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his
shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful
government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice
from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD
Almighty will guarantee this!
SALVATION
Jesus cares about you and me. He wants to fellowship with us and give us
wisdom and understanding. He will not depart from us nor will He ever leave
us alone. His love is strong enough to give life to anyone that asks. He
is the light of the world.
12/10 Luke 1:26-28
In the sixth month of
Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in
Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man
named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said,
"Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!
ANNUNCIATION
Mary heard the message of God. It was a specific, particular declaration of
His use of her. In Jesus we also hear the specific declaration of the
Father’s use of us. Obedience opens our ears. Be where you are and do what
you can each day as you live a life of devotion to Christ.
12/11 Luke
3:1-3
It
was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor.
Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his
brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over
Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message
from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living out in the
wilderness. Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan
River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned
from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
REALITY
Jesus lived on this earth. He suffered as we suffered. He died willingly
for our sin and was resurrected by the power of God. Jesus is alive.
12/12
Genesis 1:1
In
the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
GOD
God created all things including you and me. He is in charge and has given
us His rules for living in Jesus Christ. Christ is the visible image of the
invisible God. He is Lord and wants us to join Him spreading the good news
of His love and salvation. The world is passing away. There is life in
Christ.
12/13 John
1:14
So
the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of
unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of
the only Son of the Father.
ETERNAL
Jesus is forever. He has revealed himself to us and is our savior. He
takes us into the presence of the Lord. He provides grace anew, God giving
us what we need and cannot earn, fresh and powerful for us each moment. We
are never out of His sight. We are not alone. He is Lord and has come to
us.
12/14 John
1:23
John replied in the words of Isaiah: "I am a voice shouting in the
wilderness, 'Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord's coming!'"
CALL
You and I are called of God. We are called to be partner’s in the spread of
the Gospel. John called the people to repentance and awareness. We are
called to repent and proclaim what Jesus is doing in our life. He is
alive. He is alive right now. What is Christ doing in you?
12/15
Matthew 1:18
Now
this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be
married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by
the Holy Spirit.
TRUTH
We are under the restraint of law both physical laws and spiritual laws.
The Lord is not under any restraint. His work is not fettered nor can His
will be undone. Listen to the activity of the Lord in you. What is He
calling you to do? Do it. He will make a way.
12/16 Luke
2:1-3
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be
taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when
Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to
register for this census.
CONTROL
The Lord is in control. He can use individuals, empires and even you. Do
not be down hearted. Your life is a gift. Be about the Father’s work each
day of your life. Let Him deal with the results. You be faithful with your
activities.
12/17 Luke
2:4-5
And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to
Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village
of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fianc'e, who was
obviously pregnant by this time.
TIME
Time is such a deceitful enemy. Time pushes us to hurry and condemns us for
haste. The Lord is not under the tyranny of time. His work will be done
and it may be done by you. Stop worrying and fretting, just live one day at
a time. Do what you can each day and the Lord will deal with the results.
12/18 Luke
2:6-7
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She
gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of
cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the
village inn.
MIRACLES
Miracles happen often in each one of our lives. They are always cloaked in
normalcy and will most often be overlooked. The activity of the Lord Jesus
is never heralded by courtesans and horns but is simply the activity of the
Lord Jesus in our lives. You are a miracle and our Lord is a miracle
working Lord.
12/19 Luke
2:8-12
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village,
guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared
among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were
terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he
said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes,
the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of
David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying
in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"
ANGELS
Angels are real. They are used as messengers by the Father. They are
simply agents and marvel at the offering of a relationship with God that the
Babe of Bethlehem brings to man. He is peace and is our peace. The Savior
is born.
12/20 Luke
2:13-14
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of
heaven – praising God: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on
earth to all whom God favors. "
PRAISE
The Lord is praiseworthy and due all honor and glory. Our finite minds,
overwhelmed by sin and a sinful world protest at the praise due God. One
day we will see Him face to face and all will give Him praise, honor and
glory. Take a moment and praise the Lord for He is worthy.
12/21 Luke
2:15
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other,
"Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has
happened, which the Lord has told us about."
BELIEF
Belief always results in action. If I believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior
I will change. When I do wrong I will repent. When I am sad I will go to
Him for joy. Everything I need for an abundant life comes from Jesus so I
will spend time with Him and get to know Him. That is belief.
12/21 Luke
2:16-17
They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby,
lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and
what the angel had said to them about this child.
EXPERIENCES
Jesus speaks to us through His Word. He has revealed Himself in history,
witnessed by multitudes and now reveals Himself to us. I must read His
Word. The living Word of God will equip us to tell everyone about the
miracle that has happened in us.
12/22 Luke 2:18-19
All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly
treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.
WORLD
The truth astonishes the world. It is in awe of what has happened in Christ
and immediately strikes back at it. Jesus is Lord. When we proclaim His
Lordship the world will rebel.
12/23 Luke
2:20
The
shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God
for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just
as the angel had said.
WISDOM
Simple men heard the Gospel and responded. The Lord would that all be
saved. Salvation is a gift available for all of those that accept Jesus as
their Lord and Savior. This is wisdom from God.
12/24 Luke
2:1-7
At that time the Roman
emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the
Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor
of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own towns to register for this census.
4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to
Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village
of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fianc'e, who was
obviously pregnant by this time. 6 And while they were there, the time came
for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She
wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because
there was no room for them in the village inn.
12/25
Matthew 1:18-25
Now this is how Jesus
the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph.
But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
19 Joseph, her fiance, being a just man, decided to break the engagement
quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. 20 As he considered this, he
fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph,
son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your
marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy
Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he
will save his people from their sins." 22 All of this happened to fulfill
the Lord's message through his prophet: 23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a
child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel
(meaning, God is with us)." 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of
the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, 25 but she remained
a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
12/26 Luke
2:16-20
They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the
baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had
happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who
heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured
these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds
went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what
the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the
angel had said.
12/27 Judges 6:24
Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is
Peace.
PEACE
Jesus brings peace to a chaotic world. He equips His children, you and me,
to face the great uncertainty of the future with peace and joy. In this
world we will have hardship but Jesus will equip us to stand in the face of
the difficulties of daily life. He is our peace.
12/28 Psalms
4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me
to dwell in safety.
WISDOM
When we know Jesus we know life. He equips us to face yesterday, today and
tomorrow. The Lord is our security and it is an eternal security to live
here now and one day with Him in eternity.
12/29 Psalms
29:11
The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people
with peace.
STRENGTH
What ever trial you are facing today the Lord will stand with you through
it. That doesn’t mean that it won’t take time and the pain is real and
troubling. What is does mean is that this world will not be victorious over
us and Jesus the Lord will walk with us through our pain to victory. Jesus
will bring peace to our lives.
12/30 Psalms
34:14
Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
WORK
My work is to know the Lord. I must spend time with Him and let Him renew
my mind and my heart. Each day I need cleansing and refreshing. His Word
will do what I need done in me each day. Jesus is my life and He gives me
life.
12/31 Numbers 6:26
The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'
JESUS
Jesus knows me and you. He sees us as we struggle and grow. He gives us
wisdom to deal with our lives. His hand will guide us and pick us up when
we fall. The Lord Jesus lives and He lives in us. His presence gives us
peace.
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Scripture quotations are
taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright© 1996. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
NASB Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New American
Standard Bible, copyright 1975. All rights
reserved by the Lockman Foundation.
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