Verse of the Day: Lamentations 3:22-23
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Tomorrow is the first day of a new year, it’s a chance for a new beginning. Put the past behind you and start this new year with your focus on God. He loves you, He is merciful and His love and compassion for you never fails. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and see that He is good.
Verse of the Day: Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
This is the time of year when we start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. We decide to make changes and declare goals that will improve our lives. The Bible tells us we should set our minds on things above and that our thoughts and goals should be focused on Christ and our future home, heaven. As we contemplate our New Year’s resolutions let’s be mindful to include goals that allow us to put God first in our lives.
Verse of the Day: Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
As 2018 comes to a close we can thank God for seeing us through another year. Though we may have had struggles we made it through them with the help of the Lord. The new year, 2019, will soon be here and it’s a time for new beginnings. Trust in the Lord to renew your strength and refresh your spirit, remember you are more than conquerors through God who loves you and with God, all things are possible.
Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
When you seek the Lord with a sincere heart you will find Him. God hears your prayers and knows yours heart. God promises that if you humble yourself, pray, seek His face and turn from your wicked ways He will hear you. Make God a priority in the coming year by making time to read His Word and spending time with Him in prayer. God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you but it’s up to you to seek Him.
Verse of the Day: John 14:23
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
If you really love Jesus, you will obey His teachings. Saying you love Him is easy, anyone can say they love Jesus, proving you do is another matter. When you understand and appreciate what Jesus did for you at the cross it changes you, you’re no longer the same. True love and gratitude responds in obedience, dedication and with passion.
Verse of the Day: Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
There’s nothing wrong with having nice things. The problem is idolizing material things over treasuring what we have in Christ. It’s more important to focus on eternal things which are more valuable than anything here on earth that is only temporary. Using our money, gifts and talents for God’s purpose should be a priority in the coming year.
Verse of the Day: Luke 2:1-21
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Verse of the Day: Luke 2:4-6
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Micah 5:2. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Bethlehem was a small city in Judah near Jerusalem. King David had been born in Bethlehem and Jesus, who came from the lineage of King David and whose lineage goes all the way back to Adam, was also born there. Jesus is referred to as the King of the Jews from the beginning of his life to the end and it is no coincidence that Bethlehem’s literal meaning is “The House of Bread” because Jesus is the “Bread of Life”. You see, every detail about the birth of Jesus, including being born in Bethlehem, was all part of God’s divine plan for our salvation.
Verse of the Day: John 3:17
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The star was shining brightly in the City of David on the night the Savior was born. God sent His only Son to offer the grace of the gospel, eternal life and salvation, that the world through Him might be saved. The birth of Christ, the Messiah, was proclaimed by angels to the shepherds who went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus lying in the manger. Take a moment to reflect on the greatest gift ever given, Jesus Christ our Savior.
Verse of the Day: Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!
God’s good will in sending the Messiah brought peace into the world. The plan of redemption brings glory and praise to God in that He gave His only Son. Jesus, the Prince of Peace came to reconcile the world to God by His atonement for our sins. The gift of the Savior is an expression of God’s good will, love and mercy towards all men who will receive it. This Christmas and all year around let the peace of Christ fill your heart with good will toward all men.
The Consecrated Woman 