I Am The Light

John 8:12-19 (NRSV)

I am the light

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid." Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf." Then they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Eternal: Do Not Lose Heart!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NRSV)

The temporary and the eternal

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Jesus Wept...

Luke 19:41-44 (NRSV)

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God."

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

I Am The Lord

Isaiah 49:13-23 (NRSV)

God comforts the suffering

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people,
and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me,
my Lord has forgotten me."
Can a woman forget her nursing child,
or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are continually before me.
Your builders outdo your destroyers,
and those who laid you waste go away from you.
Lift up your eyes all around and see;
they all gather, they come to you.
As I live, says the Lord,
you shall put all of them on like an ornament,
and like a bride you shall bind them on.

Surely your waste and your desolate places
and your devastated land
surely now you will be too crowded for your inhabitants,
and those who swallowed you up will be far away.
The children born in the time of your bereavement
will yet say in your hearing:
"The place is too crowded for me;
make room for me to settle."
Then you will say in your heart,
"Who has borne me these?
I was bereaved and barren,
exiled and put away
so who has reared these?
I was left all alone
where then have these come from?"

Thus says the Lord God:
I will soon lift up my hand to the nations,
and raise my signal to the peoples;
and they shall bring your sons in their bosom,
and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.
Kings shall be your foster fathers,
and their queens your nursing mothers.
With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you,
and lick the dust of your feet.
Then you will know that I am the Lord;
those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Follow Me!

John, Apostle and Evangelist
John 21:20-25 (NRSV)

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

That It Might Be Fulfilled...

First Sunday of Christmas
Matthew 2:13 23 (NRSV)

The slaughter of innocent children

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
"A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Glorify and Praise God!

Merry CHRISTmas to all of my Good News Readers! Thanks for reading, sharing, and BEing good news today and always! Peace...

Nativity of Our Lord (CHRISTmas Day!)
Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV)

God with us

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Strong in Spirit

Friday, Fourth Week in Advent (CHRISTmas Eve)

Luke 1:67-80 (NRSV)

The song of Zechariah

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of his servant David,

as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace."

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.


DEVOTION

Isn't this a perfect scripture reading for CHRISTmas Eve?

Just as John the Baptist was sent into the earth to be a harbinger for Jesus and to proclaim the good news that Jesus saves us from our sin and gifts us with eternal life, so too are we called to be declarers of the good news!

We may be especially excited about the CHRISTmas gifts we've purchased people. Perhaps you got a good deal, or you found something that you know your loved one will adore. That's truly a wonderful feeling, isn't it?

But, it's an even more wonderful feeling to share JESUS with someone who doesn't have him in their heart. Better than an Ipod, Wii, car, or diamond necklace---is a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ!

If you know anyone who does not have JESUS this season, may I suggest that the best gift you could share would be your love for God and for your neighbor and your sure and certain knowledge of your salvation because of Jesus!


Let's pray: Oh God! Thank you for the greatest gift of all. JESUS! Please help me to re-gift him to everyone that I meet. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

By Faith...

Thursday, Fourth Week in Advent

Galatians 3:6-14 (NRSV)

The promise of the Spirit

Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you." For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.


For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for "The one who is righteous will live by faith." But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, "Whoever does the works of the law will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


DEVOTION

In these last days before CHRISTmas, I am certainly giving thanks for God's promise to bless all people through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

It amazes me every day, that God loves us so much that God was willing to give Jesus to die on the cross to atone for our sin and gift us with eternal life.

Yesterday, I was singing CHRISTmas carols with my children and I was struck by how precious it truly is that Love came down from Heaven, wrapped himself up in flesh, chose to be born in a manager and to live and grow amongst us, and then to allow himself to be murdered by humanity in order to redeem us from our sin.

I was further in awe of the great power of God that was able to raise Jesus from the dead, all for us!

WOW!

Isn't our God amazing?

Today, let us take a moment to meditate on what a precious gift JESUS truly is and then make up our minds to share that gift with everyone whom we meet this CHRISTmas season!


Let's pray: O God, Jesus truly is the reason for the season. In these waning days of the Advent Season please help me to slow down, get still, pray and read scripture, and remind myself of what is truly important. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

All In The Family

Wednesday, Fourth Week in Advent

Matthew 1:1-17 (NRSV)

Jesus' genealogy

An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.


And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.


DEVOTION

My husband is a historian and extremely interested in genealogy!

At first, I was confused about his interest in dead folks we would never meet.

But, after being the joyful recipient of his research, I now take great pride in knowing where I come from, who my ancestors are, and what it is that they overcame to allow me to be who I am in the present moment.

Like me, Jesus' ancestory shaped his life upon the earth. The faithful, and not so faithful, saints who were his parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great grandparents, etc...were used by God to ultimately bring Jesus into the world to live, die, and rise again to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

When we read Jesus' genealogy, we are amazed about the lengths God went to wrap himself up and flesh and dwell amongst us!

CHRISTmas morning was not an accident! God had a plan from the foundation of the world, to save and redeem us from our sin and sorrow. That plan manifested generation after generation in the bodies of Jesus' ancestors and finally came to fruition in a Bethlehem stable.

How great is our God and marvelous is God's love toward us!

Let us pray: Oh God, you are amazing! I am so glad that you can see both the beginning and the end simultaneously! Thank you for saving the whole world through Christ! I praise you for your glorious victory! In Jesus' Name, Amen...

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

God Saves...

Tuesday, Fourth Week in Advent

Genesis 21:1-21 (NRSV)

God saves Hagar and Ishmael

The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac." The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring." So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer sheba.


When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, "Do not let me look on the death of the child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him." Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.

God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

God's Promise: An Everlasting Covenant

Monday, Fourth Week of Advent

Genesis 17:15-22 (NRSV)

God promises Sarah a son

God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" And Abraham said to God, "O that Ishmael might live in your sight!" God said, "No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year." And when he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.

DEVOTION

I love this passage of scripture because it reminds me that God loves and cares for all of his children!

There is not one person in this scripture passage that does not get blessed!

Abraham was blessed because he got to talk to God and receive God's promise. Sarah was blessed because her prayers were answered and she became pregnant with a son. Isaac was blessed because God established an everlasting covenant with him and Ishmael was blessed because God determined to make of him a great nation!

WOW!

Sometimes I worry that some of us believe that God's blessings are limited. We worry that if God blesses others, God might not bless us. It's almost as if we are concerned that God's provision is limited!

Take heart, my friends! God's storehouse is eternally full and God's blessings are innumerable!

God's got enough to take care of you and take care of me...

Isn't that wonderful good news?!

We don't have to covet the blessings of others; we don't have to be jealous of God's work in the lives of our friends.

Instead, we get to trust God and lean completely into God's wisdom and understanding, blessing and provision.

In this Advent Season, this ought to bring us tremendous peace and joy! God proved His willingness to love us and radically bless us when Jesus was born into our world on CHRISTmas Day!

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection prove to us beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is willing to go to any lengths to bless us!

Let us give God thanks and praise for the wonders of his promise and everlasting covenant with us all, through Christ Jesus!

Let's pray: Oh good and gracious God, how I love you. I praise and thank you for blessing me so abundantly. Please help me to share your blessings and bounty with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Emmanuel: God With Us!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)
Our God near at hand

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,"
which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Restore Us, Oh Lord!

Saturday, Third Week in Advent

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)

Show the light of your countenance

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved. ...

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

No Longer Slaves, But FREE!

Friday, Third Week in Advent

Galatians 4:1-7 (NRSV)

God's Son, sent in the fullness of time

My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

DEVOTION

Today's scripture has special meaning to me because today is "GOTCHA DAY!" in my family.

This is the day that we will bring two new daughters home through the miracle of adoption.

These children were not born into our family, rather we sought them out, chose them, and invited them into the circle of our love--FOREVER!

Just two days ago, we Skyped with our new daughters and one of them shouted, "I CAN'T WAIT! I MEAN, I REALLY CAN'T WAIT!"

Today, my heart wishes that all of us could feel this way about our "adoption" by God into God's family.

Before Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, we were not a part of God's family, after his sacrifice we are!

God's Spirit bears witness to God's love for us! Hallelujah!

I have biological children and now I have adopted ones and I find that I love them all the same!

Thank God, for God's amazing love, that "adopts" us and call us His own!

Hallelujah!

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

All Are One in Christ Jesus!

Thursday, Third Week in Advent

Galatians 3:23-29 (NRSV)

Children of God by Christ's coming

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

DEVOTION

Any parent should be able to understand today's scripture reading.

Right now my young children are of an age that they NEED lots of rules!

We need a rule for everything so that they can understand right from wrong. When they mess up we need a consequence for everything, so that they will make wiser choices in the future.

But, it is my sincere hope that a day will come when my kids don't require all of these rules! I hope that their hearts will be molded by "my laws" such that when they are adults they will make wise choices on their own!

Ultimately, I hope that all of my rules will teach them one simple rule--WALK IN LOVE. If they learn to walk in love, they will find that they are obedient to every other law!

Jesus came to teach us this same principle. God is love. We are called to love God and neighbor as ourselves.

Now that Jesus has died on the cross and made atonement for our sin and gifted us with eternal life, truly we are all one in Christ!

Jesus died for ALL and all of us are covered in His love.

Let's rejoice during this Advent Season, for we are united in the bonds of love forever!

Let's pray: Thank you God for making us all one in Christ! Thank you for teaching us to walk in love. Please help me to love you and my neighbors all of the days of my life. Please forgive me for failing to do so on my occasions. I truly want to be the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus for those in need of him. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

He Bore Our Dis-Eases!

Wednesday, Third Week in Advent

Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 (NRSV)

Jesus heals

When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother in law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases." ...

When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

DEVOTION

I am struck by the dichotomy in today's scripture reading.

On the one hand, we read about a community who experiences the miraculous healing of Peter's mother-in-law and responds positively, bringing all of their sick and dis-eased to Jesus for healing.

Then on the other hand, we have another community who experiences the miraculous healing power of Jesus and fiercely banishes him from their town.

While this might look and sound crazy, it is truly how many people respond to Jesus--either you love or hate him, embrace or push him away, invite him in or beg him to leave.

How sad!

It is clear to me that people who push Jesus away are desperately in need of the good news that Jesus came to bring! They need to know--and believe--that God loves them passionately and sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross to make atonement for their sin and gift them with eternal life!

During this Advent Season as we "watch and pray," may we also be compelled to confess our sin and to share the good news that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost!

Let us pray: Oh God, I am sorry for all of the times that I have pushed Jesus out of my life. I know that it is only Him who is able to heal all of my dis-eases. Please help me to welcome Jesus with all of my heart, today and always. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Healing Waters: Mortal, Have You Seen This?

Tuesday, Third Week of Advent

SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NRSV)

The wilderness will flower

Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side.

Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, "Mortal, have you seen this?"


Then he led me back along the bank of the river. As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and on the other. He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. People will stand fishing beside the sea from En gedi to En eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."


DEVOTION

Come on somebody! Doesn't this scripture make you shout HALLELUJAH!

I love this imagery of God's "living waters" flowing out from the Kingdom of Love and flooding the human realm with abundance, fruitfulness, and healing!

Ah! This picture reminds me of the waters of Baptism as well. As we go under the water we "die" with Christ to our sin and as we come up out of the water, we are resurrected to new life in God's Family!

Furthermore, I am reminded of the woman at the well to whom Jesus said, "but whoever drinks the water I give her will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give her will become in her a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Again, Hallelujah and Praise the Lord!

Isn't it grand that because Jesus lived, died, and rose again, we are the recipients of "living water" that will ensure our eternal lives?

On this day, if you are spiritually thirsty, God wants to quench your thirst. If you feel as if you have been living in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water, God is sending forth waters that will be for your salvation.

COME! COME! COME!

All is now ready, please come!'


PRAYER

If you have never put all of your hope in Jesus, today would be a wonderful day to do so. Won't you pray with me?

Holy God, I am so thirsty! I am always looking for something that I cannot find. Today, I bring my thirst to you, putting all of my hope in Jesus. I believe that you love me. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to make atonement for my sin and then rose on the third day to ensure my eternal life. Please do forgive my sin and fill me with Your Spirit, so that I can walk in love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you have become a follower of Christ! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would take a moment to click "YES" in answer to the survey question "Did you put all of your hope in Jesus today?" located at the top-right-hand corner of this blog.

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

INVITATION

If you have questions more questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Fresh JOY: They Will Sanctify My Name!

Monday, Third Week in Advent

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 29:17-24 (NRSV)

The infirm will be healed

Shall not Lebanon in a very little while
become a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field be regarded as a forest?
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a scroll,
and out of their gloom and darkness
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord,
and the neediest people shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant shall be no more,
and the scoffer shall cease to be;
all those alert to do evil shall be cut off
those who cause a person to lose a lawsuit,
who set a trap for the arbiter in the gate,
and without grounds deny justice to the one in the right.

Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:
No longer shall Jacob be ashamed,
no longer shall his face grow pale.
For when he sees his children,

the work of my hands, in his midst,
they will sanctify my name;
they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob,
and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
And those who err in spirit will come to understanding,
and those who grumble will accept instruction.


DEVOTION

Ah! I am so excited about the promise that it is God who supplies "fresh JOY in the Lord!"

Yesterday, in our church, we lit the Candle of joy on our advent wreath.

The more I think about it, the more I realize what a precious gift joy truly is...

See, I have heard it said that happiness depends upon our circumstances, but joy is a gift from God that can never be taken away!

Joy endures in difficult circumstances. Joy perseveres even in hardship. Joy smiles when it wants to frown. Joy is a present that can be re-gifted time and time again during this CHRISTmas season! And joy never runs out! It is always renewed every morning!

Hallelujah! Isn't joy grand!

On this day, if you are suffering under the dark clouds of a negative and despairing spirit during this holy day season, I speak God's JOY into your life in the Name of Jesus!

You don't have to wait for your troubles to cease or your circumstance to change, you can CHOOSE JOY. You can smile in spite of it all. You can turn your face and heart to God who loves you, has made provision for your salvation, and has a good plan for your life to help and not harm you. You can sanctify God's Name, by putting Him first and foremost in your life!

As you look to God, who is the start and finish of our faith, God will renew your joy! Hallelujah!


Let us pray: Oh God, it's getting on towards CHRISTmas! I want to be joyful at your birthday party! Please renew my joy in you. Please help me to choose joy despite my circumstances. Please help me to put a smile on my face and my trust in you. Since you gave Jesus to live, die, and rise again to forgive my sin and gift me with eternal life, I know that I have a reason to choose joy. Please, help me to walk in joy today and always, in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

What Do You Hear & See?

Third Sunday of Advent

Matthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)

The forerunner of Christ

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.


DEVOTION

One of my favorite commandments in the Bible is, ""Go and tell...what you hear and see!"

As someone who deeply believes in the importance of sharing the good news about Jesus, this is my daily mantra.

As someone who seeks to encourage others to share the good news, this is my proof that it truly is very, very easy!

We don't need workshops and books. We don't need strategies and three step plans! All we need to do is "go and tell others, what we hear and see!"

Sharing the good news about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is nothing more that sharing our own stories about our encounters with him!

What song did you hear in Sunday school that touched your heart? Sing it to your children and grandchildren! How did Jesus heal your body when you were sick? Share that story with your ailing neighbor down the road! How did a Christian brother or sister bless you when you were down? Pay that some blessing forward, once you're back on your feet!

Evangelism is the very act of going...sharing...telling...what we've seen and heard.

This is why ANYONE can be an evangelist. This is why EVERYONE is called to be an evangelist!

In this Advent Season, as Christians live in great expectation of Jesus' birthday and glorious return, let us harness all of the love, joy, peace, and hope of the season to share our story!

While people are in a merry mood, let us declare the mystery of our faith in large and small ways---CHRIST HAS DIED! CHRIST HAS RISEN! CHRIST SHALL COME AGAIN!


Let us pray: Oh Lord, please help me to share the good news with everyone that I meet. More than a new ipod, bracelet, or pair of jeans, people need JESUS in this season. Help be to "gift" him over and over again. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

Please Lift Us Up!

Saturday, Second Week in Advent

Psalm 146:5-10 (NRSV)

God lifts up those bowed down

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta