Daily Archives: December 25, 2017

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Powerful Name of Jesus

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John 16:7-24

The disciples must have felt bewildered when Jesus said it was to their advantage that He leave—for three years He had guided and protected them. The Lord could say this, though, knowing that His Spirit and His name would powerfully guard and direct them until they were reunited in heaven.

In the same way, we’ve been saved and promised heaven, but there is still a long road to walk before we arrive. Yet in the name of Jesus, we have everything we need to complete our course, no matter what obstacles and challenges we face. Just consider the following ways Jesus comes to our aid:

Advocate (1 John 2:1-2). Although we are called to live righteously, there will be occasions when we sin. Jesus is our Advocate, who stands as our defender because His blood continually cleanses us from sin.

Authority (Matt. 28:18). We live under the divine authority of Christ. Nothing touches us without first going through His hands. And He empowers us to do all that He calls us to accomplish.

Assistance (John 16:13-15). Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit as our Helper, who comforts, guides, teaches, and empowers us to live holy, obedient lives.

Answer (John 16:23-24). When we ask in Jesus name—that is, according to what He desires—we will receive answers to our prayers.

Do we realize what an amazing privilege it is to belong to Christ? God’s hand moves at the name of Jesus when we have a holy and pure heart before Him. Therefore, let’s make it our ambition to live in complete dependence on this powerful name. Therefore, let’s make it our ambition to live in complete dependence on this powerful name—not just on Christmas but every day of our life.

Bible in One Year: 1 John 1-5

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Traditions and Christmas

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Read: Luke 2:1–10

Bible in a Year: Zephaniah 1–3; Revelation 16

I bring you good news that will cause great joy . . . a Savior has been born to you.  —Luke 2:10–11

As you savor a candy cane this Christmas, say “danke schön” to the Germans, for that confectionary treat was first created in Cologne. As you admire your poinsettia, say “gracias” to Mexico, where the plant originated. Say “merci beaucoup” to the French for the term noel, and give a “cheers” to the English for your mistletoe.

But as we enjoy our traditions and festivities of the Christmas season—customs that have been collected from around the world—let’s save our most sincere and heartfelt “thank you” for our good, merciful, and loving God. From Him came the reason for our Christmas celebration: the baby born in that Judean manger more than 2,000 years ago. An angel announced the arrival of this gift to mankind by saying, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy . . . a Savior has been born to you” (Luke 2:10-11).

This Christmas, even in the light of the sparkling Christmas tree and surrounded by newly opened presents, the true excitement comes when we turn our attention to the baby named Jesus, who came to “save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). His birth transcends tradition: It is our central focus as we send praises to God for this indescribable Christmas gift. —Dave Branon

Lord, we thank You for coming to join us on that first Christmas. During a time of the year filled with many traditions, help us to keep You first.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Romans 15:13

INSIGHT:

The angel Gabriel told Mary, “[Jesus] will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32-33). The angel who appeared to Joseph said, “What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. . . . [Y]ou are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:20-21). Mary and Joseph knew Jesus would be the Messiah, and as faithful Jews they would have known the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem, David’s hometown. Perhaps when Joseph was ordered to Bethlehem for the census he thought, So that’s how God is going to get us to Bethlehem!

How does reflecting on the miraculous events that led to the birth of Jesus fill you with renewed awe and wonder?

 

http://www.odb.org

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – GOD’S GIFT FOR MISSION

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Acts 1:1–8; 2:1–11

The Christmas season is celebrated with gifts. Millions of families across the globe will gather to open packages big and small. Children love to peek into their stockings or rip the wrapping paper to discover what new toy or treasure or candy might lie inside.

The greatest gift any of us has been given is God-in-flesh, Jesus, who came to reconcile us to Himself. Christians celebrate that today. And Jesus also told His disciples to wait for another gift, the one “my Father promised” (1:4). Although previously they had been baptized with water, “in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (1:5).

This would be the fulfillment of Christ’s promise given in yesterday’s reading. Notice that Jesus said they would receive this gift in order to bless others: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (1:8). The coming of the Spirit would not only bring Christ’s comfort and presence; the Spirit was also meant to empower the disciples for witness and mission in the world.

As the disciples gathered together, the Spirit descended on them in a miraculous way, with the result that “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (2:4). This was no private spiritual experience, but the ability to communicate the gospel to people who had gathered in Jerusalem from across the globe. Just look at the list of people groups in verses 9 through 11!

God’s gift to the world was Christ. After Christ’s ascension, He enabled His people, through the presence of His Spirit, to take the gospel to the world. The gift of God should lead to mission.

APPLY THE WORD

Take time today to take stock of the gifts you have been given—not just those you unwrapped this Christmas but also the many gifts and blessings you have received from the Lord. Be sure to praise the One who gives the greatest gifts (see James 1:17). Ask the Lord to help you use His gifts to you in a way that serves others and brings Him glory.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Be Generous and Cheerful

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Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. — 2 Corinthians 9:7

As Christians, we should be generous people, giving whatever we can whenever we can.  And that doesn’t just mean money—we can give help, encouragement, time, talents and forgiveness.

This means we can’t let selfishness get in the way. A lot of people are stingy, clinging to what they have and afraid to give it up. Others aren’t stingy in their actions, but they are stingy in their hearts, giving because they feel obligated, not because they really want to. But this isn’t the way God calls us to give.

Second Corinthians 9:7 tells us, God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].

If you think about it, when we give our lives to God, everything we have is His anyway—it no longer belongs to us. We should be givers, using our resources the way He wants us to.

Give cheerfully today. It pleases God, and those who give cheerfully are happy, fulfilled, and highly effective.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – He Is My Helper

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“That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, ‘The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me'” (Hebrews 13:6).

Do you and I really exercise perfect confidence that God will help us in our times of need?

The writer to the Hebrews borrows a clause, an expression, used by the psalmist. “The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me” (Psalm 118:7, KJV).

With the Lord as our helper, mere man can do nothing to us or against us except that which God permits (Acts 4:28). Whatever trials we face, the fact remains that God will be our protector and friend in and through them all.

One effective tool of the enemy is to bring up “exception clauses” time and time again. “My God is able to do anything, but…I’m not quite sure of His interest and/or power in this particular situation.” “I know He can help me, but it may not be His will at this particular time or in this particular case.”

In the face of God’s power, mere man begins to look pretty small, and that is just the way God intends it to be. He wants to give us confidence that He is able for every need we have: large, small or medium. None is too large, none too small for Him.

Bible Reading: Psalm 118:5-9

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: “Dear Lord, thank You that You are indeed my Helper. I will depend upon You as never before in living the supernatural life which will bring the greatest possible glory to You.”

 

http://www.cru.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – More Than a Christmas Story

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Listen to Today’s Devotion

The virgin birth is more, much more than a Christmas story. It’s a story of how close Christ will come to you! The first stop on His itinerary was a womb. Where will God go to touch the world?

Look deep within Mary for an answer. Better still—look deep within yourself. “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” the Scriptures say in Colossians 1:27. Christ grew in Mary until He had to come out. Christ will grow in you until the same occurs. He will come out in your speech, in your actions, in your decisions. Every place you live will be a Bethlehem. And every day you live will be a Christmas. Deliver Christ into the world…your world.

Read more In the Manger

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – The Voice of Irony

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Read: Luke 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (v. 1)

One of our family’s favorite traditions around Christmas is watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. Its many memorable scenes and familiar soundtrack are known by heart including Linus reading at length the account of Christ’s birth from the Gospel of Luke. In recent years, however, what was once a 25.5-minute movie has been cut down to about 22 minutes to allow for more commercials. Alas! A movie that laments the over-commercialization of Christmas has been cut down to allow for more ads. Now that is irony.

In these opening verses of Jesus’ birth narrative, Luke is celebrating irony. Caesar thinks he is pursuing his plans by moving people around the empire to take a census. But really, God is arranging for Scripture to be fulfilled. Caesar on his throne thinks he is king. Jesus, “away in a manger, no crib for a bed,” turns out to be the real king. Caesar, who in many parts of the empire is called “Prince of Peace,” is preempted by angels saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14).

You can almost hear Luke chuckling. It may look like business as usual: empires, taxes, armies, death. But there is another story. God is using Caesar’s plans to accomplish divine plans. With a laugh Luke is telling us, “No worries. God is in charge.” —Ken Eriks

Prayer: Lord God, how good to know you faithfully accomplish your plans whatever the situation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

https://woh.org/