BLESSED EVENT

SCRIPTURE Isaiah 9:1-7

VERSE FOR TODAY: FOR unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Joy to the World"

Ken and Dee, a devoted young couple, active in church and enthusiastic choir members, faithfully attended choir rehearsal during Dee's pregnancy. At various times, he'd go out and bring her a cup of water to drink. She often did the same for him. In the latter months, false labor pains ensued, sending Dee to the hospital several times, only to be ordered to return home and "just wait." Ken was always at her side. Together they faced the repeated difficulty and disappointment. Finally, the day arrived when their baby, a bouncing boy, decided to enter the World. Happiness, hope, and joy replaced the Former longing and frustration.

As God's people, Israel, experienced a time of anguish, they received the promise of a divine child, whose glorious radiance would illumine the spiritual darkness. The advent of God's only begotten Son. Jesus, brought the hope of eternal salvation and lasting peace on earth.

Are there shadowy corners of uncertainty, failure, or sadness in your life today? Jesus light can dispel the gloom.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Dear Father, thank You for the blessed event-- the gift of Your son, Jesus--staged some 2,000 years ago. We praise You for the blessedness of His shed blood on the cross that purchased our pardon, allowing us to experience the light of eternity with You. Amen

WHO CAN SPEAK FOR GOD

SCRIPTURE: Amos 7:10-17

VERSE FOR TODAY: I can do everything through him who gives me strength ( Philippians 4:13, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Take My life and Let It Be"

God had interesting, creative ways of preparing His servants for the work He needs them to do In verse 14, Amos explains reasons why he is not qualified for the job description of prophet: he is not professionally trained and it is not in his family background. Have you ever used those excuses before? My husband and I have!

We both have degree in music and Biblical studies. He is a carpenter by trade. I am a private music teacher.

In 1998, we found out one of our children is deaf. What a life-changing experience. Our whole focus of ministry has changed. God called us through one of His servants to be the Director of the Deaf Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. We now serve as a family in many capacities only God could work together for His good.

Taking care of cattle and sycamore trees doesn't seem like the ideal prophet training college" from a human perspective. Yet, if you think about it, Amos listened with more than his ears to perceive the needs of cattle and trees. Amos was actively listening when God said: "Go prophesy to My people, Israel." 

Who can speak for God? People who take the time to listen to Him first.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for knowing how best to train Tour servants for Your work. Thank You for being aware of our abilities even when we aren't. Help us to improve our spiritual listening skill today si we  see Your will for us here and now. Amen.

WHAT"S IN A NAME

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 7:10-17

VERSE FOR TODAY: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceived, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

George Washington, Abraham Lincoln. What comes to mind when we hear these famous names? As a citizen of the United States, the first name may remind us of " "Father of a Country. "No doubt, the first president would feel pleased to be known as the one who became the source of this great nation. Then consider the next one. *Honest Abe," we might respond. We admire those who tell the truth and upon whose words we can depend. But, say "Judas" and we think of a wicked, self- csntered betrayed, "David," a man after the heart of God; "Peter," a rock, strong and secure.

In our own lives today,  we desire to be well respected. When people speak of us, we want a pleasant image to cross their minds. We strive to secure and maintain a good name. God revealed Himself in the flesh, by sending His Son. Immanuel, the name by which God made His Son known  means "God with us." Through Jesus, God"s presence encircle us. He's above to shelter, beside to encourage, and underneath to support. Best of all, He lives in our hearts. 

What's in a name? Everything, when it is Immanuel neans God with us!

PRAYER THOUGHT: Dear God, thank You that when we trust and obey To Your Son, Jesus, You come to dwell with us and live in our hearts. The assurance that God is with us gives us joy and peace.

YOU WOULD NOT LISTEN TO MY WORDS

SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 19:10-15

VERSE FOR TODAY: " This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says, "Listen!" (Jeremiah 19:15, New International Version)

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Trust and Obey"

When we read sermon texts of many of the church leaders in the past, the subject matter is often the condemnation of God upon the people for their sins. A frequent subject of Sunday and revival sermons was the judgement of God. Today, however, we are much more likely to hear sermons on the love of God. Love seems to tickle our ears more readily than hellfire.

I have frequently heard preachers say, "God loves you just as you are." Jeremiah seems to agree God loved the nation of Judah, and the people of Jerusalem sinful as they were, or He wouldn't have sent Jeremiah to speak to them. But he also point out tha there is a dark side to that love. In words of Julia ward Howe, God was trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored." To put it plainly, though God loved the sinful people of Judah, He did not want them to remain on their sin. God sought repentance and a changed heart from them. He reminded them in a powerful way that they must pay attention to His Words.

For me, it is comforting to know that God loves me. But it is challenging to know that He wants me to walk close enough to Jesus so that the nature of Jesus rubs off on me. To refuse is, in Martin Luther's words,  "neither safe nor prudent."

PRAYER THOUGHTS: In our own preoccupation with happiness and the good life, helps us to be ever aware that the sunlight of Your Love is bright when we are close to You in heart and spirit. Teach us, O God, to listen to Your Words. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

THIS IS THE WAY

SCRIPTURE: Psalm122

VERSE FOR TODAY: I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:2 New American Standard Bible).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Come We That Love the Lord"

Do you remember this little chorus? This is the way we go to church, go to church, go to church. This is the way we go to church, so early Sunday morning." It was an effort by zealous parents to create in our hearts some zest and joy about getting into the positive habit of regularly attending Sunday school and worship services.

People approach worship in differing ways with differing attitudes. Some go out of a sense of duty and obligation. Others go out of mere habit. Some go to be seen not so much by God as by men. Some go because of curiosity. Some even go begrudgingly because a parent or a spouse has made them feel guilty. How and why do we "go to church?"

The psalmist sang "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!"' As we read elsewhere in the book of Psalms, we see how the people of God approached praise and adoration of the Creator: "I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven" (Psalm 123:1); "Praise the name of the Lord" (Psalm 122:4); and "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1). Let's strive to approach our times of worship with joy and anticipation, praise and adoration.

PRAYER THOUGHTS: Lord, we long to gather with Your people to worship and praise You. We are glad to be in Your house exalting Your Holy name. Amen.

IT"S NOT FAIR

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 9:26-37

VERSE FOR TODAY: In all that has happened to us,you have been just: you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong (Nehemiah 9:33, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "How Great Thou Art"

As a child I can remember crying out, "It's not fair!" The occasions were times of parental discipline when I felt that my punishment was greater that I could bear or at least rougher than what my siblings were getting. Now I have gone through the learning experience of raising three children, I understand much better the justice of my parents.

Sometimes God"s discipline seem unfair. Nehemiah wisely recalls the numerous times that God was merciful, patient, and loving to the Old Testament people perhaps far more merciful that some of us might have been. Then he recalls God's acts of punishment and discipline concluding. "In all that had happened to us,  You have been just; you  have acted faithfully. While we did wrong" (Nehemiah 9:33). God warned them to return to His law.

Today we rejoice that the nature of our Creator included justice and righteousness as well as mercy, love, and compassion. A perfect balance of each if these attributes is what causes our soul to sing, "How great Thou Art!"

PRAYER THOUGHT: Help us to see that our actions causes a reaction I our physical and spiritual lives. May we not cry, "It"s not fair!" But may we with Your guiding hand, strive to live holy and godly lives. And thank You, dear God, for Your justice as well as Your mercy. We praise You this day for the discipline You have brought into our lives. It has drawn us closer to You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

YOU! YOU! YOU!

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 9:6-15

VERSE FOR TODAY: You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendant the land of the Canaanites. . .You have kept your promise because you are righteous (Nehemiah 9:8, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Standing on the promises"

Our God is a God who makes and kept promises. He must be pleased when His people get serious about integrity and holy living.

In preparing for this devotional I noticed that twenty nine personal pronouns used in reference to God. He gave life, made a covenant, heard a cry, sent miraculous signs and wonders, divided the sea, you can walk and sing ...led the people out of bondage, gave them the law, and He spoke to them from Heaven. What powerful statement these verses make as they relate the acts of God down through history! But it's all personal. God is personal. He is not just a comic power or infinite force. He is a personal God who keeps His promises to His people because He is righteous! 

"Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing in the promises of God.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Help us to bow before You this day to praise and honor You, O Father, the living God of all creation. ",Not to us, O Lord, not to us ." But to You, O God, to You! We praise You this day for who You are. In the name of Your Son. Amen.