Monday, December 30, 2024
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
The Bible describes love as a selfless, sacrificial and unconditional commitment to the well-being of others. The world has taken the word love, and distorted it to mean something more along the lines of acceptance. Today I ask that we refocus our mind on the Biblical definition of love as we remember why Jesus came to earth as a babe, to eventually be the atonement needed for our sin, see 1 John 4:10. Have you accepted the love God offers to each one of us? Not just in the form of salvation, but in the form of freedom and acceptance by our creator. Jesus loves us unconditionally. We can’t do anything that would separate from that love or that would make Him love us more. He loves us, and continues to do so regardless of what we do. How amazing is that?! Are you living in the freedom of His love as we enter a new year?
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
“He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”” Exodus 3:12
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Biblical hope is a reality, not a feeling, and is based on the belief that God always keeps His promises. I am reminded of the passage in Exodus 3 above when Moses meets God in the burning bush. I can imagine Moses in this moment, he had heard God’s plan and was hesitant. Hesitant enough to say to God, I am nobody. So God responds and says don’t worry I will be with you. Not just with you, but this is a sign for you… I stop here, because put yourself in Moses’ shoes, God will be with you and is going to give you a sign. How exciting! Then God continues, the sign will be that once you have brought them out of Egypt, we will meet back here on this mountain and you all will worship me. Well, if you are anything like me, we want a sign now. To give us the courage and boldness to go! Our hope rests in the fact that God always has, current is, and will continue to keep His promises. Afterall He is the God of Hope. Are you living in the freedom that Hope has to offer as you enter into a new year?
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you along, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”. Psalm 4:8
The peace that the world offers is tied more to a cease of busyness or a calmness. However, Biblical peace refers to something you can only find in Christ and goes beyond what a fallen world can offer. As John 16 reminds us, this world will have troubles. This world is sinful, and as much as people say they want peace, the world can’t offer true peace. It can offer glimpses of peace, but to find true peace we must seek our Savior. Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life, shed his blood, died on a cross and rose again on the third day so that we could once again have fellowship with our creator. As stated in John 16:33, Jesus has overcome the world. We can find peace here on earth, in Him alone. In that peace we are able to lie down and sleep, we are able to find rest. Peace isn’t an illusion, it is possible but only in Jesus. Are you living in the freedom that Peace has to offer as you enter a new year?
Thursday, January 2, 2025
“And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” Nehemiah 8:9-12
Biblical Joy is focusing our hearts and minds on the source of all joy, Jesus. This passage in Nehemiah is so encouraging as we think about Biblical joy. The start of Nehemiah 8 has all of the people gathered together to hear Ezra read from the Book of the Law of Moses, as the Lord had commanded them to do. While reading from morning through midday they made sure the people understood, and they worshipped with their faces to the ground. Can you imagine this sight? The book of the law was read for hours, and the people just listened and worshipped. What we read next, starting in verse 9, seems to show that the people felt convicted and were mourning instead of finding joy. So the leaders reminded them to find joy and celebrate! Even find yourself feeling guilt or shame, when God is offering you joy? Are you finding and living in Joy as you enter a new year?
Friday, January 3, 2025
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7
Christ has come! Born as a baby, our creator, sustainer and savior, came to earth as a baby. To live among his creation and be the perfect example of love, hope, peace and joy. Yet this baby was still 100% God. As Isaiah 9:6 states He was, and is, still Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and so much more. Jesus is everything we need, and His humility to come as a baby shouldn’t be something we celebrate once a year, but each and every day. As we focus our minds on Jesus Himself today spend some time remembering, and or reading about how he was the perfect embodiment of Love, Hope, Peace and Joy. I would encourage you to write them out and take time to reflect and review these throughout the year.
Saturday, January 4, 2025
As a final reflection on Advent and as we step into a new year with a prayer conference, let’s take time today to pray over each aspect of Advent and that it will continue to be on our hearts and minds year round.
Love – Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Psalm 143:8a
Hope – You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114
Peace – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. John 14:27a
Joy – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Christ – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16