Surveys tell us that blue is the most popular color in the world, but green comes in at second place in Thailand, China, and the United States.1 During the holidays decorating wit... moreA daily devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
Surveys tell us that blue is the most popular color in the world, but green comes in at second place in Thailand, China, and the United States.1 During the holidays decorating with boughs of pine branches or garlands of evergreen can create a festive atmosphere that reminds us of Christmases past and generations now gone.
Psalm 71:18 suggests a prayer for those who are approaching the golden years: “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.”
Christmas is a wonderful time to share your story of faith with your family. Nestled in your chair or at your table, surrounded by the greenery of the season, tell your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews about how you celebrated the birth of Christ when you were their age. Share what Christ has meant to you. Let your testimony be boughs of evergreen!
As an atheist, David Lepore ascertained that most Christians didn’t really believe what they professed. If they really believed the Gospel, he thought they should be far more excited and eager to share it with everyone and anyone. Since becoming a Christian, Lepore has done just that. He... moreA daily devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
As an atheist, David Lepore ascertained that most Christians didn’t really believe what they professed. If they really believed the Gospel, he thought they should be far more excited and eager to share it with everyone and anyone. Since becoming a Christian, Lepore has done just that. He found that his faith compelled him to share the message of Jesus. He now works with the Australian Bible Society to get the Gospel into as many hands as possible.
The shepherds of Bethlehem were like that. Once they received good news from the angelic messengers in Luke 2, they immediately responded by believing. Furthermore, their belief compelled them to share the news everywhere they could.
Do we truly believe God became human to die for our sins, rise again, and prepare an eternal home for us? If so, we’ll be unable to stop telling the news, just as Peter said in Acts 4:20: “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (NIV).
The first biblical mention of Bethlehem is a sorrowful one. Genesis 35 says that Rachel died near there. Rachel was beloved by her husband, Jacob, and he was anguished when she perished during a difficult childbirth. With her final breath, she named her child Ben-Oni, which means “Son of My Sorrow.” But Jacob changed his na... moreA daily devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
The first biblical mention of Bethlehem is a sorrowful one. Genesis 35 says that Rachel died near there. Rachel was beloved by her husband, Jacob, and he was anguished when she perished during a difficult childbirth. With her final breath, she named her child Ben-Oni, which means “Son of My Sorrow.” But Jacob changed his name to Benjamin, which means “Son of My Right Hand.” Jacob set a monument over her grave, and pious Jews visit the site to this day.
Today we find delight in visualizing our Lord’s birth town. We build models of it on the stages of churches and in public parks. It’s become an evocative scene for the world’s greatest painters, and we love to sing about the “little town of Bethlehem” where “in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.”
It’s the Lord Jesus who eases our sorrows and lifts our spirits. His birth became the means by which He entered the human family to “preach good tidings to the poor” and “to heal the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1). Do you have a zone of sorrow in your life? Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to give you comfort, understanding, healing, and happiness today.
Do you put a Christmas wreath on your door? So do people around the world. In Eastern Europe they are decorated with fruits and nuts. In Mexico you’ll see colorful wreaths of paper flowers. In Poland the wreaths are often made of straw with ribbons... moreA daily devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
Do you put a Christmas wreath on your door? So do people around the world. In Eastern Europe they are decorated with fruits and nuts. In Mexico you’ll see colorful wreaths of paper flowers. In Poland the wreaths are often made of straw with ribbons and dried flowers. The residents of Hawaii make many of their wreaths out of tropical flowers, palm leaves, and seashells.
Everywhere the meaning is the same. The shape of the wreath—a circle—represents the endless and eternal life Jesus came to bring us. The Gospel of John, though it doesn’t really tell the story of Joseph and Mary, has the most to say about our limitless life in Christ. In the New King James Version, John uses the word eternal ten times and the word everlasting another eight times. In John 6:47, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
This season when you spot a wreath, let it remind you to thank the Lord for endless days!
Spider-Man, the Marvel Comics superhero introduced in 1962, is about a teenager who was bitten by a radioactive spider in a laboratory. The boy became a person with two natures—he is both human and spider. He can operate in both realms. But Spider-Man is fant... moreA daily devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
Spider-Man, the Marvel Comics superhero introduced in 1962, is about a teenager who was bitten by a radioactive spider in a laboratory. The boy became a person with two natures—he is both human and spider. He can operate in both realms. But Spider-Man is fantasy. A person can only have one nature. We are humans.
Jesus Christ goes beyond our imaginations. He is God-Man. He is the only person who possesses two natures in one personality. He is Son of Man (human) and Son of God (divine). He is both God and human. It’s not a laboratory accident. It was God’s perfect plan for becoming one of us so He could atone for our sins by His suffering and death on the cross.
We can never fully understand the marvel of what Jesus did for us, but we can enter each day—including this one—thanking Him for it!
💜 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 💜
By GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum (Heart for God)
For most Christians, the Christmas season begins on the Sunday nearest November 30th. This date is the feast day of Saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles of Christ. The nearest Sunday is the first day of Advent, a four-week period during which Christians prepare for the celebration of Christmas. The word advent, from Latin, means "the coming", and refers to the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day.
Advent ... more💜 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 💜
By GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum (Heart for God)
For most Christians, the Christmas season begins on the Sunday nearest November 30th. This date is the feast day of Saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles of Christ. The nearest Sunday is the first day of Advent, a four-week period during which Christians prepare for the celebration of Christmas. The word advent, from Latin, means "the coming", and refers to the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day.
Advent has probably been observed since the fourth century. Originally, it was a time when Christian converts readied themselves for baptism. During the Middle Ages, Advent became associated with preparation for the Second Coming of Christ.
In early days, Advent lasted from November 11, the feast of St. Martin, until Christmas Day. Advent was considered a pre-Christmas season of Lent when Christians devoted themselves to prayer and fasting. The Orthodox Eastern Church observes a similar Lenten season, from November 15 until Christmas, rather than Advent. Some Christians still view the Advent as a season to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus.
There is great comfort in the truth that God is with us in our troubles. What He does about the trouble is up to Him, but the promise is that He is always there. Three stories from Scripture illustrate this tr... moreA daily devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah, Turning Point, https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
There is great comfort in the truth that God is with us in our troubles. What He does about the trouble is up to Him, but the promise is that He is always there. Three stories from Scripture illustrate this truth.
First, Daniel’s three friends were thrown into a fiery furnace in Babylon (Daniel 3). When the king peered into the furnace, not only were the three men unharmed but also a fourth man was with them—one “like the Son of God.” Second, when Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee and a storm came up, Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41). Third, when the disciples were struggling to cross the Sea of Galilee due to a contrary wind, Jesus came to them, walking on the water, and calmed the winds (Mark 6:45-52). The promise of God is, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
If you are in a fire or a storm today, never doubt that God is with you. Trust Him to resolve the matter according to His will.
SGT Lakeem Khodra
Priory of Saint Romero
Fortitudo per Christum