12/1 John 1:5
The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
POWER
We serve a risen savior. He cannot be stopped by the powers of this world. Jesus is eternal. Our relationship with Him is eternal. This world cannot destroy us.
12/2 John 1:10
But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came.
SAVIOR
Jesus is not under the authority of man. The Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is alive and reigns in each one of us who have asked Him into our hearts. Rejoice as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. Jesus is alive.
12/3 John 1:12
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
OWNERSHIP
We belong to Him. He is Lord and we are in His family. He has called us to faithful living and servant lifestyles. We take the life of Christ into the world. We are the ones that proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ by what we say and what we do.
12/4 Isaiah 40:3-5
Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, “Make a highway for the LORD through the wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God. Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!”
CONTROL
God has a plan. It is Jesus. Jesus saves us from our sin and makes us whole again. Christ is our solid rock, our peace, our forgiveness, our guidance and life itself. When we have Jesus we have what we need to succeed in life.
12/5 Psalm 85:8
listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways.
WORD
Jesus is the Word of God. He speaks life to us and equips us to be a part of His work in this world. Jesus in our heart radically changes us. We see life through His eyes and develop habits of obedience.
12/6 2 Peter 3:3
First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire.
EVIL
Evil seeks to kill, steal and destroy. Evil always veils its actions with deceit. To often a person is led by evil while they are thinking they are getting their way. They are simply surrendering to a life of slavery. The end result of evil’s actions is always death.
12/7 Mark 1:1
Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
GOOD NEWS
Good news-our lives are not desperate. Good news-we count. Good news-each one of us has an important ministry to perform. Good news-we can be in the family of God. Jesus Christ is God’s good news to man.
12/8 John 1:1
In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.
LIFE
Jesus brings life to man from God. This is a great stumbling block for the rich and the intelligent. Self-sufficiency blinds the strong. Dependence blinds the weak. Unless we ask Christ to forgive us of our sin and save us we will not have life. If we ask Jesus to save us He is faithful to do it. Our mortality separates us from eternity and it is so very hard for people to accept God’s way.
12/9 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light – a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!
SALVATION
Jesus cares about you and me. He wants to fellowship with us and give us wisdom and understanding. He will not depart from us nor will He ever leave us alone. His love is strong enough to give life to anyone that asks. He is the light of the world.
12/10 Luke 1:26-28
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!
ANNUNCIATION
Mary heard the message of God. It was a specific, particular declaration of His use of her. In Jesus we also hear the specific declaration of the Father’s use of us. Obedience opens our ears. Be where you are and do what you can each day as you live a life of devotion to Christ.
12/11 Luke 3:1-3
It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living out in the wilderness. Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
REALITY
Jesus lived on this earth. He suffered as we suffered. He died willingly for our sin and was resurrected by the power of God. Jesus is alive.
12/12 Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
GOD
God created all things including you and me. He is in charge and has given us His rules for living in Jesus Christ. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He is Lord and wants us to join Him spreading the good news of His love and salvation. The world is passing away. There is life in Christ.
12/13 John 1:14
So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.
ETERNAL
Jesus is forever. He has revealed himself to us and is our savior. He takes us into the presence of the Lord. He provides grace anew, God giving us what we need and cannot earn, fresh and powerful for us each moment. We are never out of His sight. We are not alone. He is Lord and has come to us.
12/14 John 1:23
John replied in the words of Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord’s coming!'”
CALL
You and I are called of God. We are called to be partner’s in the spread of the Gospel. John called the people to repentance and awareness. We are called to repent and proclaim what Jesus is doing in our life. He is alive. He is alive right now. What is Christ doing in you?
12/15 Matthew 1:18
Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
TRUTH
We are under the restraint of law both physical laws and spiritual laws. The Lord is not under any restraint. His work is not fettered nor can His will be undone. Listen to the activity of the Lord in you. What is He calling you to do? Do it. He will make a way.
12/16 Luke 2:1-3
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census.
CONTROL
The Lord is in control. He can use individuals, empires and even you. Do not be down hearted. Your life is a gift. Be about the Father’s work each day of your life. Let Him deal with the results. You be faithful with your activities.
12/17 Luke 2:4-5
And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fianc’e, who was obviously pregnant by this time.
TIME
Time is such a deceitful enemy. Time pushes us to hurry and condemns us for haste. The Lord is not under the tyranny of time. His work will be done and it may be done by you. Stop worrying and fretting, just live one day at a time. Do what you can each day and the Lord will deal with the results.
12/18 Luke 2:6-7
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
MIRACLES
Miracles happen often in each one of our lives. They are always cloaked in normalcy and will most often be overlooked. The activity of the Lord Jesus is never heralded by courtesans and horns but is simply the activity of the Lord Jesus in our lives. You are a miracle and our Lord is a miracle working Lord.
12/19 Luke 2:8-12
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!”
ANGELS
Angels are real. They are used as messengers by the Father. They are simply agents and marvel at the offering of a relationship with God that the Babe of Bethlehem brings to man. He is peace and is our peace. The Savior is born.
12/20 Luke 2:13-14
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors. ”
PRAISE
The Lord is praiseworthy and due all honor and glory. Our finite minds, overwhelmed by sin and a sinful world protest at the praise due God. One day we will see Him face to face and all will give Him praise, honor and glory. Take a moment and praise the Lord for He is worthy.
12/21 Luke 2:15
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
BELIEF
Belief always results in action. If I believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior I will change. When I do wrong I will repent. When I am sad I will go to Him for joy. Everything I need for an abundant life comes from Jesus so I will spend time with Him and get to know Him. That is belief.
12/21 Luke 2:16-17
They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
EXPERIENCES
Jesus speaks to us through His Word. He has revealed Himself in history, witnessed by multitudes and now reveals Himself to us. I must read His Word. The living Word of God will equip us to tell everyone about the miracle that has happened in us.
12/22 Luke 2:18-19
All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.
WORLD
The truth astonishes the world. It is in awe of what has happened in Christ and immediately strikes back at it. Jesus is Lord. When we proclaim His Lordship the world will rebel.
12/23 Luke 2:20
The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.
WISDOM
Simple men heard the Gospel and responded. The Lord would that all be saved. Salvation is a gift available for all of those that accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This is wisdom from God.
12/24 Luke 2:1-7
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fianc’e, who was obviously pregnant by this time. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
12/25 Matthew 1:18-25
Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiance, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. 20 As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this happened to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, 25 but she remained a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
12/26 Luke 2:16-20
They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.
12/27 Judges 6:24
Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace.
PEACE
Jesus brings peace to a chaotic world. He equips His children, you and me, to face the great uncertainty of the future with peace and joy. In this world we will have hardship but Jesus will equip us to stand in the face of the difficulties of daily life. He is our peace.
12/28 Psalms 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.
WISDOM
When we know Jesus we know life. He equips us to face yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Lord is our security and it is an eternal security to live here now and one day with Him in eternity.
12/29 Psalms 29:11
The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
STRENGTH
What ever trial you are facing today the Lord will stand with you through it. That doesn’t mean that it won’t take time and the pain is real and troubling. What is does mean is that this world will not be victorious over us and Jesus the Lord will walk with us through our pain to victory. Jesus will bring peace to our lives.
12/30 Psalms 34:14
Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
WORK
My work is to know the Lord. I must spend time with Him and let Him renew my mind and my heart. Each day I need cleansing and refreshing. His Word will do what I need done in me each day. Jesus is my life and He gives me life.
12/31 Numbers 6:26
The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’
JESUS
Jesus knows me and you. He sees us as we struggle and grow. He gives us wisdom to deal with our lives. His hand will guide us and pick us up when we fall. The Lord Jesus lives and He lives in us. His presence gives us peace.
