Category: 260 Devotional

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

¹The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. ²When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. ³And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. ⁴They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. ⁵They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. ⁶During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. ……

²⁰The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. ²¹Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

 

Reflection

Old Time prophets often called for Israelites to repent and return to God.  They emphasized the final judgment and terrible consequence of refusing to repent.  It is only in true repentance can we be saved from the terrible punishment of sin.

In this passage, despite God’s judgment, many people still go on their merry way (vv20-21). And sometimes, we are just like them.  During such times, God is actually forcing us, through difficult circumstances, to look inside ourselves for our persistent refusal of God’s gracious invitation.  If we are honest to see what we truly are, we would humbly ask God for the grace of repentance and deliverance.

Sit silently.  Allow the Holy Spirit to show areas of your “persistent stubbornness”.  Ask God for “humility to see and grace to repent”.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:29-31

²⁹ Three things are stately in their tread;
    four are stately in their stride:
³⁰ the lion, which is mightiest among beasts
    and does not turn back before any;
³¹ the strutting rooster, the he-goat,
    and a king whose army is with him.

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

¹ When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. ² Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. ³ And another angel came and stoodat the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, ⁴ and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. ⁵ Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

⁶ Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.

⁷ The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

⁸ The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. ⁹ A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

¹⁰ The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. ¹¹ The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.

¹² The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.

¹³ Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”

 

Reflection

Before the seventh seal, there is silence.  An angel comes before the altar with a censer and mixes the prayers of believers with the incense. When the censer plummets, the earth rumbles.  Prayers bring incalculable effects.  Even the smallest words of yours can result in great effects.  How would this awareness help your prayer life?

Use this Taize song to pray as your commitment to join the numerous saints in daily and regular prayers. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f51n-yb11dY )

Oh, Lord, hear my prayer, Oh, Lord, hear my prayer, When I call, answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer, Oh, Lord, hear my prayer, Come and listen to me.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:24-28

²⁴ Four things on earth are small,
    but they are exceedingly wise:
²⁵ the ants are a people not strong,
    yet they provide their food in the summer;
²⁶ the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
    yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
²⁷ the locusts have no king,
    yet all of them march in rank;
²⁸ the lizard you can take in your hands,
    yet it is in kings’ palaces.

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” ¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

 

Reflection

Again, John’s eye is drawn back to heaven, and he sees the innumerable company of the saved. Drawn from every people and tribe, dressed in the white robes of salvation, they join in offering praise and glory to God.

Read this passage again and listen to the words of the worshippers.  Think, why is God worthy of your worship?

Try lying down on your face before God as you join the great crowd in worship and praise Him. Respond to him with thanksgiving, authenticity, honesty and passion.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:21-23

²¹ Under three things the earth trembles;
    under four it cannot bear up:
²² a slave when he becomes king,
    and a fool when he is filled with food;
²³ an unloved woman when she gets a husband,
    and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

⁹ When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. ¹⁰ They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” ¹¹ Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

¹² When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, ¹³ and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. ¹⁴ The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. ¹⁵ Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, ¹⁶ calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, ¹⁷ for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

 

Reflection

As you read this passage, listen to the voice of the martyrs (v10).  Do you find yourself echoing their cry from time to time? What sort of assurance did God give to them?  When you have been wronged and in stress, what kind of assurance do you receive from this passage?

Today, there continue to be martyrs persecuted for Jesus’ sake across the world. How would you pray alongside the persecuted church?

“The great day of his wrath is here; and who can stand it?” (v. 17)  No one is capable of escaping these conditions.  In light of all the many natural disasters happening around the world in recent years, how does this passage remind you of the second coming of Jesus?  How does this awareness help you prepare for the return of the Lord?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:18-20

¹⁸ Three things are too wonderful for me;
    four I do not understand:
¹⁹ the way of an eagle in the sky,
    the way of a serpent on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
    and the way of a man with a virgin.

²⁰ This is the way of an adulteress:
    she eats and wipes her mouth
    and says, “I have done no wrong.”

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

⁶ And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.⁷ And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
¹⁰ and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”

¹¹ Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹² saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

¹⁴ And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

 

Reflection

God came and took the scroll, and as He held it, the living creatures and the elders fall down and worshiped Him. And suddenly heaven is filled with praises; praises for the Lamb; praises for One born in order to die, to purchase with His own blood “men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation”.

People whose concern is only about themselves would find the endless praise of God and the Lamb intolerable. In fact, worship is not an action but a reaction, a response evoked by a vision of God’s glory.

In worship, the focus is on God, not on ourselves.  The last word of worship is “Amen”(v14) which means “Oh, yes!”  God says yes to us. We respond by saying yes in return.

Reflect on your worship and your response to God.  Is God the focal point of your life?  Or is it yourself the center of your life?  How frequently do you say “No” to God?  When was the last time that you said “Yes” to God?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:17

¹⁷ The eye that mocks a father
    and scorns to obey a mother
will be picked out by the ravens of the valley
    and eaten by the vultures.

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

¹ After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ² At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. ³ And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.⁴ Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, ⁶ and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: ⁷ the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. ⁸ And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”

⁹ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

¹¹ “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

 

Reflection

In this chapter, John was lifted to heaven, and saw God on His throne, surrounded and praised by living creatures.

Read the passage slowly and feel for what is happening in heaven. Try to visualize what is described here: the jasper and carnelian, and the emerald, the thunder and the lightning, the torch and the sea …. Do you get a sense of the awe of this place? What does it feel like to be there?

Listen to the chanting of the Four Animals: “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Think about what God’s holiness means to you?

Join in the worship and chant: “Holy, Holy, Holy”, and say: “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:15-16

¹⁵ The leech has two daughters:
    Give and Give.
Three things are never satisfied;
    four never say, “Enough”:
¹⁶ Sheol, the barren womb,
    the land never satisfied with water,
    and the fire that never says, “Enough.”

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

¹⁵ “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. ¹⁹ Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹ The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

 

Reflection

Laodicea was a wealthy city. The church at Laodicea apparently shared in the prosperity. The Christians were self-satisfied and they comfortably fit in with the rest of the population.

Yet, God declared that “you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” For the people in Laodicea, lukewarm water was useless water, since it was no good for drinking (not cold) or for bathing in (not hot).

Take time to reflect: In what ways has your usefulness for the Kingdom of God been impaired by wealth, comfort, and your sense of entitlement, and you become “lukewarm”?

How do you see the patient and yet persistent grace of God at work in your church and in you as a member?  Listen. What does God say to you through this passage?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:11-14

¹¹ There are those who curse their fathers
    and do not bless their mothers.
¹² There are those who are clean in their own eyes
    but are not washed of their filth.
¹³ There are those—how lofty are their eyes,
    how high their eyelids lift!
¹⁴ There are those whose teeth are swords,
    whose fangs are knives,
to devour the poor from off the earth,
    the needy from among mankind.

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

¹ “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

² “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. ³ I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. ⁴ But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ⁶ Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

 

Reflection

Tradition says that John moved to Ephesus some 40 years before Revelation was written. He maintained close contact with Christian communities in the seven major cities of the area. Undoubtedly the issues each letter touches on were real at the time John wrote. Yet they are also representative of churches of every place and time. It is helpful to look at each and to see how its characteristics fit our own experience, and apply the warnings and corrections John conveyed.

Think about your own church. In what ways is it similar to the church at Ephesus?

Now, focus on the relationship between you and the Lord.  How does v4 speak to you? Have you walked away from the Lord? How can you regain that first love? What have distracted you from the Lord? In what areas should you repent?

If you haven’t walked away from your first love, how do you continue to be faithful and in love with God?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:10

¹⁰ Do not slander a servant to his master,
    lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.

Before you begin, take a few moments to find and create for yourself a quiet space. You can turn off your phone and close any chat or other things that might interrupt your time. Give your time and attention wholly to God for the next while.

You might say a prayer, inviting God to speak to you, to reveal Himself to you and to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is and who He calls you to be.

 

¹ The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, ² who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.³ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

⁴ John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ⁶ and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ⁷ Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

 

Reflection

Revelation is a powerful affirmation of the sovereignty of God, the primacy of Jesus, and the certain judgment God will bring on all evil – including the evil one, Satan. We will benefit greatly as we meditate on the glory of God revealed in Jesus, and the ultimate triumph of God.

With this in mind, read the passage slowly and pay attention to the characteristics and actions of God described in today’s passage.  What image of God appears in your mind now? What does it mean to you today?

Apostle John was worshipping when God’s revelation came to him. Read this passage a few times as you join John in worshipping God.  What will you do and say in your worship based on today’s passage?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:7-9

⁷ Two things I ask of you;
    deny them not to me before I die:
⁸ Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
    give me neither poverty nor riches;
    feed me with the food that is needful for me,
⁹ lest I be full and deny you
    and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
    and profane the name of my God.

Verses: Matthew 2:1-9

¹ Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. When Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. ² They asked, “Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

³ When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, as were all the people in Jerusalem. ⁴ Herod called a meeting of all the leading priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Christ would be born. ⁵ They answered, “In the town of Bethlehem in Judea. The prophet wrote about this in the Scriptures:

⁶ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are not just an insignificant village in Judah.
A ruler will come from you
who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.’” Micah 5:2

⁷ Then Herod had a secret meeting with the wise men and learned from them the exact time they first saw the star. ⁸ He sent the wise men to Bethlehem, saying, “Look carefully for the child. When you find him, come tell me so I can worship him too.”

⁹ After the wise men heard the king, they left. The star that they had seen in the east went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy. ¹¹ They came to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their gifts and gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² But God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their own country by a different way.

 

• Traveling in the 1^st century was drastically different from traveling today. There was no plane, no bus, but only camel rides which was exhausting, uncomfortable, and even extremely dangerous with bandits and wild animals in the wilderness. Yet this didn’t stop the ‘wise men’ – educated, knowledgeable elites of the society at the times – to travel from far away, following star in the sky just to seek the Messiah. When they found Jesus they were ‘filled with joy’. They worshiped him and offered him gifts.

• Today, seeking Christ is much easier. There are churches everywhere in North America, Bibles are easily accessible to most, and lots of devotional and biblical knowledge are couple clicks away on the Internet. Yet do we seek Jesus with the same passion as the wise men? Do we experience joy in seeking Jesus? Do we worship Jesus and give him thanks when we experience Him in our lives? Reflect on how often we seek Jesus and whether we truly enjoy it or if it is more of a chore.

• The Bible goes on to tell us Herod goes on to kill every baby boy in the region because he was afraid Jesus would grow up to take the reign from him. It was actually Satan pulling the strings in the background, trying every mean to eliminate the salvation from us all. Thank God He is the King of Kings, and all of Satan’s tricks are nothing but child plays in His eyes. Have we experienced Satan’s attack or obstacles in the past year? Do we confront trials and obstacles in life with faith and courage from God? Think about this – if we are useful tools and worthy soldiers for God’s Kingdom, you know at some point Satan will try to stop us, just like in sports, teams always guard the best players, leaving the poor players open. How do we deal with trials or attacks? Do we know that God’s grace is sufficient for us? Or do we run away from attacks or trials? Let’s keep our faith and fight a good fight for God no matter our circumstances, because we KNOW we are already on the winning team!

• Listen to Silent Night (an example is on this YouTube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRZOv31n1sY) Try to visualize the embrace the atmosphere when the world just quietly anticipates a new hope to mankind, the coming of God’s only son to dwell among us. Try to spend a moment and just quietly sit with God through meditation as you listen to this song.

• How are you spending tonight – the silent night? Are you excited to join the Christmas day worship tomorrow to celebrate our God’s greatest grace and greatest gift for us tomorrow? Don’t forget to join PGC brothers and sisters in celebrating Christmas day tomorrow – 10:30 AM at B.O.S.S.!

 

* Trivial Details – did you know contrary to what is widely portrayed, even among churches, the Bible never said there were 3 wise men? It only said there were 3 gifts!! Also, did you know that the wise men did not actually find Jesus on the night of his birth? Instead, they found Jesus when he was a little boy, some historians told us that was when he was 4 – 5 years old? Now that you know! J

 

Verses: Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

³⁰ The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace. ³¹ Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. ³³ He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. For this reason the baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Now Elizabeth, your relative, is also pregnant with a son though she is very old. Everyone thought she could not have a baby, but she has been pregnant for six months. ³⁷ God can do anything!”

³⁸ Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” Then the angel went away.

—

⁴⁶ Then Mary said,

“My soul praises the Lord;
⁴⁷ my heart rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ because he has shown his concern for his humble servant girl.
From now on, all people will say that I am blessed,
⁴⁹ because the Powerful One has done great things for me.
His name is holy.
⁵⁰ God will show his mercy forever and ever
to those who worship and serve him.
⁵¹ He has done mighty deeds by his power.
He has scattered the people who are proud
and think great things about themselves.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
and raised up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with nothing.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant, the people of Israel,
remembering to show them mercy
⁵⁵ as he promised to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his children forever.”

 

 

• And this is the scripture where the life of a young girl took a drastic change, and would go down in history as the mother of the Savior. The name “Mary” literally means “exalted”. How special is God’s plan? Of all the girls that God could choose to bear His holy son, God has chosen a poor, ordinary Jewish girl from a small village that was not famous for anything at all – her credentials could not be more ‘ordinary’. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians, God’s plans are foolish to the world, but it’s a great mysterious wisdom to those connected to the creator!

 

• Do we sometimes feel average or even sub-standard compared to others? Do we feel overwhelmed by others because of our education? Our job? Or wealth? Or family background? As we see in how God chose Mary, God doesn’t see people for these at all, instead He chooses people for their heart and their faith. Conversely, do we sometimes feel superior or more important because of our education? Our career, our wealth, or our abilities? May God humble our hearts so we may become useful tools to glorify Him.

 

• Being pregnant while still unmarried may be somewhat common in today’s North American culture (and that is not a good thing), but in the first century Middle East Jewish culture this was totally unacceptable. Not only would the girl be considered impure, she would bring shame to the entire family. Read the scripture again and consider yourself in the place of Mary. How would you feel if God’s calling would put you in a somewhat difficult situation?

 

• Despite not fully understanding the plan of God, Mary responded to God’s messenger saying, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” What courage does Mary have?!! Knowing full well the stares and name-calling and even possibly persecution she would get from her peers, her family, the society and even her fiancée, Mary bravely threw herself into the unknown future on faith alone! Slowly read Mary’s prayer to God (v46-55) and reflect on it.

 

• How has our Advent season been so far? Have we spent quality time meditating and devoting, preparing our hearts for Jesus’ birthday? Or have we been pre-occupied with the busy-ness of the commercial season, with parties, gatherings and shopping? Sometimes it is indeed difficult with the craziness of the season, but with 2 days until Christmas it’s still not too late! Let’s spend quality time with God and put Christ back in our Christmas season this year!

Verses: Luke 1:5-25

⁵ During the time Herod ruled Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to Abijah’s group.^[a] Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, came from the family of Aaron. ⁶ Zechariah and Elizabeth truly did what God said was good. They did everything the Lord commanded and were without fault in keeping his law. ⁷ But they had no children, because Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.

⁸ One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, because his group was on duty.⁹ According to the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ There were a great many people outside praying at the time the incense was offered. ¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing on the right side of the incense table. ¹² When he saw the angel, Zechariah was startled and frightened. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid. God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son, and you will name him John. ¹⁴ He will bring you joy and gladness, and many people will be happy because of his birth. ¹⁵ John will be a great man for the Lord. He will never drink wine or beer, and even from birth, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ He will help many people of Israel return to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ He will go before the Lord in spirit and power like Elijah. He will make peace between parents and their children and will bring those who are not obeying God back to the right way of thinking, to make a people ready for the coming of the Lord.”

¹⁸ Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is old, too.”

¹⁹ The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand before God, who sent me to talk to you and to tell you this good news. ²⁰ Now, listen! You will not be able to speak until the day these things happen, because you did not believe what I told you. But they will really happen.”

²¹ Outside, the people were still waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he was staying so long in the Temple. ²² When Zechariah came outside, he could not speak to them, and they knew he had seen a vision in the Temple. He could only make signs to them and remained unable to speak. ²³ When his time of service at the Temple was finished, he went home.

²⁴ Later, Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and did not go out of her house for five months. Elizabeth said, ²⁵ “Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed^[b] of me, but now the Lord has taken away that shame.”

 

• After the last chapter in Old Testament, God was silent for 400 years. His people did not receive any sign or direction from God, until this – God spoke to his people right through His angel about the pioneer for the Savior. Similarly, Zechariah and Elizabeth, despite being faithful to God all their lives, also had to endure a long wait before Elizabeth would finally bear a son. The common theme here seems to be ‘wait’. Does God make us wait, sometimes to build and equip us? Or sometimes to make us more gracious? Have you endured any lesson of waiting from God? Or are you in the middle of waiting for something from the Lord? Has God spoken to you through these verses about waiting?

 

• The angel told Zachariah “He will help many people of Israel return to the Lord their God” Indeed, as Christians, God’s calling for us is not just to help solve our loved ones’ problems, but to bring them, with their problems, to God so that they can experience the grace and love and almighty power of our heavenly father for themselves. At the end of the year, reflect on whom you have brought back to the Lord over the past year. Who did your cell group return to a personal relationship with God? And has God put anyone’s name in your heart at this very moment? Why not start with a quick phone call or a short message right after this devotion and prayer to start bringing him / her back to God?

 

• The first thing the angel said to Zachariah was “Do not be afraid.”, and that is the first line out of the mouth of many angels in the Bible as well. God knows in the light of his almighty power, the first instinct for us is to be afraid, and he does not want us to be afraid. In fact, our heavenly father has given us Jesus so that our sins can be justified, our relationship can be repaired and we can once again call God ‘father’. Do you have fears in your heart? Quiet yourself and pray to our heavenly father. Not only He will also tell you “Do not be afraid”, he will also love to hear and guide you through your fear!

Verses: Isaiah 53

 

1Who would have believed what we heard?
Who saw the Lord’s power in this?
² He grew up like a small plant before the Lord,
like a root growing in a dry land.
He had no special beauty or form to make us notice him;
there was nothing in his appearance to make us desire him.
³ He was hated and rejected by people.
He had much pain and suffering.
People would not even look at him.
He was hated, and we didn’t even notice him.

⁴ But he took our suffering on him
and felt our pain for us.
We saw his suffering
and thought God was punishing him.
⁵ But he was wounded for the wrong we did;
he was crushed for the evil we did.
The punishment, which made us well, was given to him,
and we are healed because of his wounds.
⁶ We all have wandered away like sheep;
each of us has gone his own way.
But the Lord has put on him the punishment
for all the evil we have done.

⁷ He was beaten down and punished,
but he didn’t say a word.
He was like a lamb being led to be killed.
He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool is being cut;
he never opened his mouth.
⁸ Men took him away roughly and unfairly.
He died without children to continue his family.
He was put to death;
he was punished for the sins of my people.
⁹ He was buried with wicked men,
and he died with the rich.
He had done nothing wrong,
and he had never lied.

¹⁰ But it was the Lord who decided
to crush him and make him suffer.
The Lord made his life a penalty offering,
but he will still see his descendants and live a long life.
He will complete the things the Lord wants him to do.
¹¹ “After his soul suffers many things,
he will see life and be satisfied.
My good servant will make many people right with God;
he will carry away their sins.
¹² For this reason I will make him a great man among people,
and he will share in all things with those who are strong.
He willingly gave his life
and was treated like a criminal.
But he carried away the sins of many people
and asked forgiveness for those who sinned.”

 

 

• Isaiah 53 was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, but look at the details in which Jesus’s life was described. God has prepared for our salvation long before we were ready for Him, like a loving father always looking out for, preparing well ahead of time for his sons and daughters.
• On this quiet night when this little child was born unto us, the life ahead of him has already been predetermined, and it isn’t an easy or comfortable road. Yet Jesus, even with full knowledge of the bitter cup ahead of him, still willingly walked down this road – to glorify God, and out of love for us. Read through the verses again, meditate on the extent Jesus sacrificed for us. Try to respond to Jesus in your prayer.
• In 1946 the Dead sea scrolls were discovered in Qumran, and they are ancient manuscripts scientifically dated back to at least 350 years before Jesus’ birth. In it includes the Book of Isaiah, and it proves Isaiah 53 was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. There is no doubt Isaiah 53 is a detailed description of Jesus, and not anyone else.  There is no denying the birth of God’s son to our world is a historic fact. Reflect on that in the Christmas season – the season to remember the birth of Christ.

 

Verses: Micah 5:2-5

 

² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are too small to be among the army groups from Judah,
from you will come one who will rule Israel for me.
He comes from very old times,
from days long ago.”

³ The Lord will give up his people
until the one who is having a baby gives birth;
then the rest of his relatives will return
to the people of Israel.
⁴ At that time the ruler of Israel will stand
and take care of his people
with the Lord’s strength
and with the power of the name of the Lord his God.
The Israelites will live in safety,
because his greatness will reach all over the earth.
⁵ He will bring peace.

 

• In Micah, God has clearly told his people that the savior would be born in Bethlehem hundreds of years before Jesus was born, and that is how the wise men were instructed to find baby Jesus there.

 

• Of all the cities in Israel or Judah, Bethlemen is one of the smallest and insignificant cities at the time of Jesus’ birth.  Yet it is the city that gives birth to King David and Jesus. God sure doesn’t overlook small cities, just like how he doesn’t overlook what the world considers as weak and insignificant among us!

 

• Have you ever listened to the Christmas carol “Little town of Bethlehem”? Find it on YouTube and listen to it, while imagining the magical atmosphere around this little city on the night Jesus was born, and this world has a brand new hope.

 

 

Background : God has asked Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh, to preach to the people so they wouldn’t do evil anymore. However Jonah held grudges against the Assyrian people who massacred the Israelites, and would not preach to them, so he boarded a ship to run away from the Lord. When God caused a big storm to come upon the ship, Jonah would rather ask the sailors to throw him into the sea than do what the Lord’s asked …

 

Verses: Jonah 1:14-2:10

 

¹⁴ So the men cried to the Lord, “Lord, please don’t let us die because of this man’s life; please don’t think we are guilty of killing an innocent person. Lord, you have caused all this to happen; you wanted it this way.” ¹⁵ So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea became calm. ¹⁶ Then they began to fear the Lord very much; they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made promises to him.

¹⁷ The Lord caused a big fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

While Jonah was inside the fish, he prayed to the Lord his God and said,

² “When I was in danger,
I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
I was about to die,
so I cried to you,
and you heard my voice.
³ You threw me into the sea,
down, down into the deep sea.
The water was all around me,
and your powerful waves flowed over me.
⁴ I said, ‘I was driven out of your presence,
but I hope to see your Holy Temple again.’
⁵ The waters of the sea closed around my throat.
The deep sea was all around me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
⁶ When I went down to where the mountains of the sea start to rise,
I thought I was locked in this prison forever,
but you saved me from the pit of death,
Lord my God.

⁷ “When my life had almost gone,
I remembered the Lord.
I prayed to you,
and you heard my prayers in your Holy Temple.

⁸ “People who worship useless idols
give up their loyalty to you.
⁹ But I will praise and thank you
while I give sacrifices to you,
and I will keep my promises to you.
Salvation comes from the Lord!”

¹⁰ Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and the fish threw up Jonah onto the dry land.

 

• Sometimes there are moments we don’t understand God, or get upset at God. We may be stubborn against what God wants us to do. Even Jonah, a great prophet, was once very mad at God. Do you have similar experience? Have you ever been upset or mad at God? It is ok, God allows us to be mad or upset at Him. What he doesn’t like is to run away from Him. Do you have something in your mind you’d like to tell God? Past experiences we don’t understand? Bitterness that is still in our hearts? Try to tell all that to God through a prayer!

•  Jonah could not overcome his own emotions when he was busy running away from God, but notice how when in the belly of a big fish, cut out from the outside world, Jonah could finally clear his mind, and said one of the most sincere prayers he’s ever said to God. Do you have a habit of devoting, reflecting and meditating? Do you spend quiet time away from your busy life every day?
• Jonah was asked to deliver a message of salvation to the people of Nineveh, and he was trapped inside the fish for 3 days before he saw daylight again. When people asked Jesus to perform another miracle, Jesus said “Evil and sinful people are the ones who want to see a miracle for a sign. But no sign will be given to them, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Jonah was in the stomach of the big fish for three days and three nights. In the same way, the Son of Man will be in the grave three days and three nights.” (Matthew 12:39-40) God used the story of Jonah to foreshadow the death and resurrection of Jesus. The gift of salvation is given to us because Jesus was willing to pay a hefty price – His own life. Let us respond to Jesus through our prayer in this Christmas season!

 

 

Verses: Isaiah 11:1-9

 

11 A new branch will grow

from a stump of a tree;

so a new king will come

from the family of Jesse

2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon that king.

The Spirit will give him wisdom and understanding, guidance and power.

The Spirit will teach him to know and respect the Lord.

3 This king will be glad to obey the Lord.

He will not judge by the way things look

or decide by what he hears.

4 But he will judge the poor honestly;

he will be fair in his decisions for the poor people of the land.

At his command evil people will be punished,

and by his words the wicked will be put to death.

5 Goodness and fairness will give him strength,

like a belt around his waist.

6 Then wolves will live in peace with lambs,

and leopards will lie down to rest with goats.

Calves, lions, and young bulls will eat together,

and a little child will lead them.

7 Cows and bears will eat together in peace.

Their young will lie down to rest together.

Lions will eat hay as oxen do.

8 A baby will be able to play near a cobra’s hole,

and a child will be able to put his hand into the nest of a poisonous snake.

9 They will not hurt or destroy each other

on all my holy mountain,

because the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord,

as the sea is full of water.

 

• Isaiah talked of coming of a ‘new king’ and a ‘new kingdom’. Let’s read the scriptures again and notice what is the relationship between the ‘new king’ and his people? How will he treat the weak and the poor? And how will he treat the evil people? Can you imagine living in a world like that?

 

• See how the scripture describes the relationship between animals and human, and relationship among animals themselves. Isn’t it amazing if there is complete harmony between human and animal, so that babies can play with cobras, and wolves would sleep with lamb?

 

• Ever since sin got into our world, the relationship among people, and among animals have been broken, to a point we cannot even remember the world of complete harmony in God’s originally created world. Close your eyes and imagine a world of no hunger, no sickness, no death, no sadness, no sin, no injustice … only joy, love and complete harmony. That is the world Jesus came to give us.

Introduction:
Dear brothers and sisters, as we step into December we are in the month of Jesus’ birthday – Christmas! What do you notice around yourself in this special season? Sales and shopping? Vacation and trips? Is your schedule packed with parties and celebrations? Quality time with family?
All these are great, but unfortunately they have nothing to do with the true meaning of CHRIST-mas. Jesus is the reason for the season!
Traditionally, churches observe the period that starts 4 Sundays before the Christmas day as “Advent season” with various religious ceremonies. Ceremonies aside, the true meaning of Advent is we prepare our hearts, quiet ourselves before God in this special season, and focus on 1. the darkness of the world, 2. the true light of Jesus, and 3. The glory of Jesus when He returns again.
This year, at PGC we will put the regular 260 Devotion on hold, and take the rest of December to approach, meditate and walk through some scriptures together leading to Christmas day!
Did you know that Jesus was there in the very beginning of this world? Did you know that Jesus has made his marks throughout the Old Testament? Did you know that God has given us many pictures of Jesus way before he was born? Do you want to meet Jesus again in His words for the first time this Christmas in 12 different devotions?
Are you ready? Let’s start today!

 

Background:

Israel needs a new king, and God has asked Samuel the prophet to appoint the new king for Him. Guess where God led Samuel to to find the new king – Bethlehem! This is what happens in Bethlehem when Samuel finally arrived …

 

Verses: 1 Samuel 16:5-7, 11-12

 ⁵Samuel answered, “Yes, I come in peace. I have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. Set yourselves apart to the Lord and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he set Jesse and his sons apart to the Lord, and he invited them to come to the sacrifice.

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab, and he thought, “Surely the Lord has appointed this person standing here before him.” ⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t look at how handsome Eliab is or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

¹¹ Then he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse answered, “I still have the youngest son. He is out taking care of the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him. We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

¹² So Jesse sent and had his youngest son brought in. He was a fine boy, tanned, and handsome. The Lord said to Samuel, “Go, appoint him, because he is the one.” ¹³ So Samuel took the container of olive oil and poured it on Jesse’s youngest son to appoint him in front of his brothers. From that day on, the Lord’s Spirit worked in David. Samuel then went back to Ramah.

 

• This is how the Lord selected the great King David! David goes down as one of the greatest kings in Jewish history, and guess where he was from? A little town in Bethlehem. It sure is not a coincidence. God was trying to fore-shadow where the King of all kings – Jesus Christ, would eventually be born.

 

• When he was appointed, David did not stand out in any way, he was just a lowly shepherd boy, and even his father didn’t think much of him. However in the eyes of God, David was precious and deeply loved. The same goes to every one of us. How do we feel about ourselves? We may not stand out among our peers, in our class, among our friends, at our company … but to God every one of us is his precious son / daughter. And for that very reason He gives us Jesus Christ in this season so that we can be re-united with him as an eternal family in heaven!

 

• Eliab was tall and handsome and he was the eldest son, but God says “God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.” In an artificial world where appearance is everything, God looks at our heart! Thank you God, for knowing me for who I am, and looking at my heart!

 

• God looks at our heart and he wants us to look at the inner beauty of other people too! How do we perceive people around us? Do we also look at their hearts? Or do we ‘judge the book by its cover’ and perceive people by exterior factors like physical appearance, wealth, cars they drive, clothes they wear, etc.? Let’s be more like God and start to see people for who they are inside, not outside!

Introduction:
Dear brothers and sisters, as we step into December we are in the month of Jesus’ birthday – Christmas! What do you notice around yourself in this special season? Sales and shopping? Vacation and trips? Is your schedule packed with parties and celebrations? Quality time with family?
All these are great, but unfortunately they have nothing to do with the true meaning of CHRIST-mas. Jesus is the reason for the season!
Traditionally, churches observe the period that starts 4 Sundays before the Christmas day as “Advent season” with various religious ceremonies. Ceremonies aside, the true meaning of Advent is we prepare our hearts, quiet ourselves before God in this special season, and focus on 1. the darkness of the world, 2. the true light of Jesus, and 3. The glory of Jesus when He returns again.
This year, at PGC we will put the regular 260 Devotion on hold, and take the rest of December to approach, meditate and walk through some scriptures together leading to Christmas day!
Did you know that Jesus was there in the very beginning of this world? Did you know that Jesus has made his marks throughout the Old Testament? Did you know that God has given us many pictures of Jesus way before he was born? Do you want to meet Jesus again in His words for the first time this Christmas in 12 different devotions?
Are you ready? Let’s start today!

 

Background:

God has led Joshua and the Israelites to seize the land of Canaan. But the Canaanites had bigger and stronger army than the Israelites. They also had fortress to protect them, the strongest of which was the Jericho city. Jericho city was well known for its strong city walls which would give the Israelites no chance to penetrate. Before crossing the Jordan river, Joshua sent 2 spies to scout the city of Jericho. Unfortunately the Jericho king heard about this and asked Rahab to bring the spies to him…

 

Verses: Joshua 2:1-14

¹ Joshua son of Nun secretly sent out two spies from Acacia and said to them, “Go and look at the land, particularly at the city of Jericho.”

So the men went to Jericho and stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

² Someone told the king of Jericho, “Some men from Israel have come here tonight to spy out the land.”

³ So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house. They have come to spy out our whole land.”

⁴ But the woman had hidden the two men. She said, “They did come here, but I didn’t know where they came from. ⁵ In the evening, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know where they went, but if you go quickly, maybe you can catch them.” ⁶ (The woman had taken the men up to the roof^[a] and had hidden them there under stalks of flax that she had spread out.) ⁷ So the king’s men went out looking for the spies on the road that leads to the crossings of the Jordan River. The city gate was closed just after the king’s men left the city.

⁸ Before the spies went to sleep for the night, Rahab went up to the roof. ⁹ She said to them, “I know the Lord has given this land to your people. You frighten us very much. Everyone living in this land is terribly afraid of you ¹⁰ because we have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea when you came out of Egypt. We have heard how you destroyed Sihon and Og, two Amorite kings who lived east of the Jordan. ¹¹ When we heard this, we were very frightened. Now our men are afraid to fight you because the Lord your God rules the heavens above and the earth below! ¹² So now, promise me before the Lord that you will show kindness to my family just as I showed kindness to you. Give me some proof that you will do this. ¹³ Allow my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all of their families to live. Save us from death.”

¹⁴ The men agreed and said, “It will be our lives for your lives if you don’t tell anyone what we are doing. When the Lord gives us the land, we will be kind and true to you.”

 

• The Israelites were a bunch of hungry, weak slaves who have spent the last 40 years wandering in the desert. The Canaanites were big and strong and well protected behind the fortress walls of Jericho. Yet, when the Jericho king asked Rahab to expose the spies, she took her chance, and decided to side with the Israelites and help the spies escape – all because she had heard what the God has done for the Israelites. Have you heard of the great wonders God has done? Through testimony of people around you, or testimony of people you don’t know? Have these testimonies helped build your faith?

 

• Rahab had a shady past, as a young girl looking for love in all the wrong places, she obviously had made many wrong decisions in her life to end up as a prostitute living on the city wall – the outskirt of the city. Her future looked bleak. Yet, God didn’t look at Rahab’s past and deemed her unworthy to be part of His big plan. Instead, God looked upon her faith in Him. Have we made mistakes in the past that we’re not proud of?

 

• This is the reason for the Christmas season– because a savior has been given to us, who forgives all our past sins and accepts us into God’s kingdom! Tonight pray and share with God. He is kind and he is willing to listen.

 

•  In Matthew 1 it is written: “This is the family history of Jesus Christ … Abraham was the father of Issac. Issac was the father of Jacob … Salmon was the father of Boza (Boaz’s mother was Rahab) … Jacob was the father of Joseph. Joseph was the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus. Jesus is called the Christ.” The Bible reveals Rahab later on married Salmon, who was 1 of the 2 spies and was a prince from the house of Judah. When God gave Rahab a second chance, she took it and God greatly blessed her. Not only she had a husband and a family, her name is even written down in the line of family of Jesus! What kind of second chance has God given you after you’ve got to know him? Are you willing to make good use of the chance given and be blessed with it?

 

Introduction:
Dear brothers and sisters, as we step into December we are in the month of Jesus’ birthday – Christmas! What do you notice around yourself in this special season? Sales and shopping? Vacation and trips? Is your schedule packed with parties and celebrations? Quality time with family?
All these are great, but unfortunately they have nothing to do with the true meaning of CHRIST-mas. Jesus is the reason for the season!
Traditionally, churches observe the period that starts 4 Sundays before the Christmas day as “Advent season” with various religious ceremonies. Ceremonies aside, the true meaning of Advent is we prepare our hearts, quiet ourselves before God in this special season, and focus on 1. the darkness of the world, 2. the true light of Jesus, and 3. The glory of Jesus when He returns again.
This year, at PGC we will put the regular 260 Devotion on hold, and take the rest of December to approach, meditate and walk through some scriptures together leading to Christmas day!
Did you know that Jesus was there in the very beginning of this world? Did you know that Jesus has made his marks throughout the Old Testament? Did you know that God has given us many pictures of Jesus way before he was born? Do you want to meet Jesus again in His words for the first time this Christmas in 12 different devotions?
Are you ready? Let’s start today!

 

Background: God saved the people of Israel from the chains and whips of the Egyptians, but now in the desert and wilderness the Israelites are moaning and whining. They complain they are thirsty, and God instructs Moses to strike a rock, and water comes out of the rock to ease Israelites’ thirst.

 

Verses: Exodus 17:5-6; John 4:10-14

 

⁵ The Lord said to Moses, “Go ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Carry with you the walking stick that you used to strike the Nile River. Now go! ⁶ I will stand in front of you on a rock at Mount Sinai. Hit that rock with the stick, and water will come out of it so that the people can drink.” Moses did these things as the elders of Israel watched.

—–

¹⁰ Jesus said, “If you only knew the free gift of God and who it is that is asking you for water, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

¹¹ The woman said, “Sir, where will you get this living water? The well is very deep, and you have nothing to get water with. ¹² Are you greater than Jacob, our father, who gave us this well and drank from it himself along with his sons and flocks?”

¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life.”

 

• Have you experienced extreme thirst? How did your body feel? The saddest part is even though our body can give us warning signs when we experience extreme physical thirst, our spiritual life is so weak it often fails to give us warnings when we are spiritually thirsty! What is your spiritual life like? What is your relationship with God?

 

• Read this verse in John 4:13-14 again. What is God trying to foreshadow in this incident with Moses striking the rock? Think about this – we are thirsty to the point of dying, we strike the rock once, and water comes out of it to ease our thirst. Meditate on what Jesus said in John 4. Who is that rock we strike?

 

• When the Israelites were complaining about their thirst again in Numbers Chapter 20, why did God ask Moses not to strike the rock for the 2^nd time? Why was God so mad when Moses was disobedient and struck the rock twice to get water?

 

• To ease our thirst forever, and mend the broken relationship between us and God, Jesus must be struck really hard. Yet, out of love for all of us, Jesus willingly walked on to the cross to be struck for all of us. Remember Jesus when you devote on this scripture, and pray to Jesus.

 

Introduction:

Dear brothers and sisters, as we step into December we are in the month of Jesus’ birthday – Christmas! What do you notice around yourself in this special season?  Sales and shopping? Vacation and trips? Is your schedule packed with parties and celebrations? Quality time with family?

All these are great, but unfortunately they have nothing to do with the true meaning of CHRIST-mas. Jesus is the reason for the season!

Traditionally, churches observe the period that starts 4 Sundays before the Christmas day as “Advent season” with various religious ceremonies. Ceremonies aside, the true meaning of Advent is we prepare our hearts, quiet ourselves before God in this special season, and focus on 1. the darkness of the world, 2. the true light of Jesus, and 3. The glory of Jesus when He returns again.

This year, at PGC we will put the regular 260 Devotion on hold, and take the rest of December to approach, meditate and walk through some scriptures together leading to Christmas day!

Did you know that Jesus was there in the very beginning of this world? Did you know that Jesus has made his marks throughout the Old Testament? Did you know that God has given us many pictures of Jesus way before he was born? Do you want to meet Jesus again in His words for the first time this Christmas in 12 different devotions?

Are you ready? Let’s start today!

 

Verses: Genesis 1:1-2, 24-31

 

¹ In the beginning God created the sky and the earth. ² The earth was empty and had no form. Darkness covered the ocean, and God’s Spirit was moving over the water.

²⁴ Then God said, “Let the earth be filled with animals, each producing more of its own kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals, and let each produce more of its kind.” And it happened. ²⁵ So God made the wild animals, the tame animals, and all the small crawling animals to produce more of their own kind. God saw that this was good.

²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.”

²⁷ So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. ²⁸ God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

²⁹ God said, “Look, I have given you all the plants that have grain for seeds and all the trees whose fruits have seeds in them. They will be food for you. ³⁰ I have given all the green plants as food for every wild animal, every bird of the air, and every small crawling animal.” And it happened. ³¹ God looked at everything he had made, and it was very good. Evening passed, and morning came. This was the sixth day.

 

• The Bible tells us in the beginning, this world was empty, had no form, no order, and was covered by darkness. Can you imagine a world covered by darkness, with no light whatsoever? Try to turn off your lights, close your eyes, cover your ears, and experience only 2 minutes of complete darkness. Imagine if the world has no form, no order and is covered by complete darkness? How would you feel if you were born to a world like that?

 

• God created everything with his words, but not when he created human. Instead, God “took dust from the ground and formed a man from it.” He ‘created human beings in his image and likeness.” He then “breathed the breath of life into the man’s nose.” He tells us each one of us is ‘wonderfully and fearfully made’. He created us in the peak of his creation, and after he made us he regarded his creation finished. In fact, he rested from all his work, and blessed the 7^th day by calling it a holy day. How much do you think God values human? How much do you think he expects from us?

 

• Take a quick look at the newspaper and the internet – on what is happening around us in this world of ours. How far have we fallen from God’s standard? How do you think God feels? How broken-hearted do you think God is?

 

• Despite our far we have fallen, God has not given up on us. His LOVE for us is amazing. He still wishes to save us, and bring us back to his side, so that we can be his children again eternally. It is out of his ultimate love that he sends his only son, Jesus to us. It is this perfect love that brought us Christmas – the gift of Jesus Christ, our only Lord, our only salvation.

 

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

³Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ⁴For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.  ⁵Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lorddelivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. ⁶And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. ⁷In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.  ⁸In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: Jude wrote an urgent warning against those who were already introducing false teaching into the churches.  God will punish those who turn from Christ and godliness, but preserve those who keep themselves in His love.
2. Some things in life are relative. One prefers green, the other prefers blue. One like popcorn, the other likes potato chips. But truth is different.  It is absolute, remains fixed and sure despite human preferences. Contending for truth (v3) doesn’t mean being hostile. But it does mean making sure people realize that truth isn’t a matter of preference.
3. Jude, as did Peter and Paul, wrote two identifying marks of the false teachers: (1) they deny Jesus Christ, making Him out to be less than God, (2) they twist that grace which frees us from the grip of sin into a license for sin.  God will certainly punish the false teachers who share the spiritual and moral depravity exhibited by the Exodus generation, by fallen angels, and by the depraved communities of Sodom and Gomorrah (vv5-7).
4. What errors in faith and life do you see as subtle dangers to today’s Christians? How can you protect yourself, and other believers whose lives you touch, from falling into these errors?  Pray that you and your church would be protected from false religion.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:5-6

⁵ Every word of God proves true;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
⁶ Do not add to his words,
    lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹ The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

² Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.³ For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

⁵Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. ⁶They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. ⁷It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. ⁸We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: John wrote to Gaius to encourage him to keep on ministry, to warn against Diotrephes and to commend Demetrius.
2. Read the passage carefully as if John is writing specifically to me.
3. What opportunity have you had recently to show someone hospitality? Or in some way help someone who is trying to do good?  How did you respond to that opportunity?  What do you notice about the motives and priorities behind your action (or non-action)?
4. Think about some gifts you can offer to others (such as cooking, listening ear, words of encouragement.)  Write them down and go through the list with God. Determine which gifts you are glad to share, and which ones you are hesitant. Now think of a specific person who would be helped by your hospitality.  Ask God what He would have you offer to this person.  Be open to take this small step toward hospitality, and see how God may change your heart as you do it.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 30:1-4

¹ The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.

The man declares, I am weary, O God;
    I am weary, O God, and worn out.
² Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
    I have not the understanding of a man.
³ I have not learned wisdom,
    nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
⁴ Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
    Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
    Surely you know!

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹ The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,² because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

⁴ I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.⁵ And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. ⁶ And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. ⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. ⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, ¹¹ for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: John greeted an “elect lady” to encourage continuing to live in love and in truth warning against those who deny Christ’s deity.
2. There are two equally extreme misconceptions many people have concerning what it means to be a Christian or to live the Christian life. One view says, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere and loving.” The other one says, “It doesn’t matter how you live as long as you believe the truth.” Both views are just as wrong because the Word of God binds both truth and love inseparably together.  Therefore we obey the truth and love God and people.
3. Pray that God will keep you “living in truth”, and not be swayed by false teachings.
4. Take time to read and be familiar with this Apostles’ Creed which summarizes the major doctrines which is important to Christian faith.

Apostles’ Creed

(1)     I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

(2)     And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

(3)     Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

(4)     Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

(5)     The third day he rose again from the dead:

(6)     He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

(7)     From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

(8)     I believe in the Holy Ghost:

(9)     I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

(10)  The forgiveness of sins:

(11)  The resurrection of the body:

(12)  And the life everlasting. Amen.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 29:25-27

²⁵ The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
²⁶ Many seek the face of a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
²⁷ An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
    but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹ Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. ⁴ For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

⁶ This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. ⁹ If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. ¹⁰ Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. ¹¹ And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: John writes of faith in Christ, loving God, and overcoming the world.  He then reviews God’s witness that gives us certainty regarding eternal life in Christ, and concludes with teaching on prayer and the sure knowledge found in the Son of God.
2. It’s easy to say “I love God,” but genuine love reflects God’s love. If we belong to God, then we will love each other regardless of how hard love is. And because our love for God, we will obey His commandments.
3. Children cannot see what their parents ask them to obey comes out of their love for them.  They need to exercise their love for and trust in their parents in order to obey.  Ideally, as children obey, they will come to see the goodness and rightness in what parents ask.  And their love for their parents and their willingness to obey will both grow. The same is true for us with God.  God’s commandments are actually the way to freedom for us rather than a restriction of freedom. Therefore obedience is not oppressive, but is the very way to victory over all that is dark and crushing in the world.
4. What spiritual battles are you facing? What evidence of victory over the world do you see in your life? Take time to thank God for his son, and for the victory and eternal life you have in Him.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 29:21-24

21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
    will in the end find him his heir.
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,
    and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 One’s pride will bring him low,
    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;
    he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹³ By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. ¹⁷ By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ¹⁹ We love because he first loved us. ²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. ²¹ And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: John cautions his readers not to believe everyone who claims to be led by the Spirit, but to test them.  He then exhorts them to manifest brotherly love in keeping with the character and example of God’s love as demonstrated in the sacrifice of His Son.
2. Most of us feel a twinge of anxiety and glance at their speedometer when they see a police car while on the road. We appreciate police as guardians of the public good. But we are a little nervous around one. It’s similar for most people with God. The idea that God is over there in the next car, watching us, makes us feel a bit edgy.  However, John said that we need have no fear in our relationship with God any more than if the policeman in the next car was our dad. For his presence near us offered no threat of punishment.
3. Love does just this in our relationship with the Lord. On one hand, we know He loves us, so He will do nothing to harm us. On the other, as we respond to Him with love, there’s no room left for fear. Terror of someone and love for him/her cannot exist at the same time. Real love drives out fear.
4. In what ways do you feel burdened by fear? Tell your fears to God and listen for His assurance. How can the principle “perfect love casts out fear” (v. 18) help you overcome your fears?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 29:17-20

¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    he will give delight to your heart.
¹⁸ Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
    but blessed is he who keeps the law.
¹⁹ By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
    for though he understands, he will not respond.
²⁰ Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹¹ For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. ¹² We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. ¹³ Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. ¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

¹⁶ By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.¹⁷ But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: John described God’s wonderful love for us, and the hope of being God’s children should motivate us to live pure lives.  Christ came to destroy sin, anyone truly born of God will not persist in sin but live righteously.  True righteousness includes loving one another, as Christ loved us.  This gives us confidence and assurance that we are abiding in Him and are of the truth.
   1. In the first and second century, the world did hate Christians.  The Christians refused to take part in public life because sacrifices offered to gods and goddesses were part of political and social gatherings.  Christians were condemned as atheists and haters of humanity, for to the pagan those who did not fulfill their civic responsibilities were regarded as attacking the social order.
   2. However, Christians were good citizens: honest, moral, responsible, but they were hated and many were killed.  John indicated that hatred came from sin, and is the mark of evil while love is the sign of good and godliness.
   3. To consciously practice Jesus-like love this week, how would you show that in your family? Church? Work? Community? Politics? And toward those you don’t like? Where does this call to love challenge you the most?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 29:13-16

¹³ The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
    the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
¹⁴ If a king faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.
¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
¹⁶ When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹² I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.
¹³ I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
¹⁴ I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

¹⁵Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: John wrote to encourage them not to sin. When anyone does sin they have Jesus as a go-between for them and the Father. They have known the truth from the beginning as they became Christians and the false teachers are not of the truth. Love is a motivating force for Christians. There is a common source for their temptations and it is worldly and of their flesh.
2. The “world” in this passage refers to the value system and perceptions expressed in the culture of a sinful world.  John pointed out the roots of every human society are in the selfish cravings of man, in the tendency to greedily desire the materialistic things he sees, and in man’s drive for self-importance.  Each of these is antagonistic to God.
3. It is easy to become self-centered and drawn away from God by the glamour of sensuality, status, and riches that will not last.  Those who remain faithful with God will live forever.  The author reminds us that we must choose; we can have only one master.
4. Use this hymn to express your desire for the Lord.  Look into the Lord’s eyes, sing slowly.  Pause at every sentence.  Listen to the Lord’s question: “Is this really your desire”?  Will you answer Him, “Lord, you know, this is indeed my desire, though shallow, feeble, but it’s true”.

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.

Than to be a king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy name.

                                                                                                    (by Rhea F. Miller)

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 29:9-12

⁹ If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
¹⁰ Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
    and seek the life of the upright.
¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.
¹² If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ² the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— ³ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: John based his teaching on his personal knowledge of Jesus and continuing fellowship with God.  He pointed out that if anyone claims that he is without sin, he is lying and lives in darkness.  Yet by confessing of sins, it will bring forgiveness and purification by Christ, our atoning sacrifice.
2. God is all light (holiness) and there is no “dark side” to him so that we can trust him completely. We cannot fellowship – have an intimate relationship – with God when we are walking in the darkness (keep on living in sin).  The way to step into the light is to admit we are in darkness, that we sin. Let the light – God’s words – move in to our hearts.  And when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
3. So, once again, we begin to understand a bit more of what it means that God is light – God is faithful, just, forgiving, and cleansing. Apparently, it is not our job to make ourselves righteous. We participate in God’s work to make us righteous by turning over to him all the junk His light continues to reveal to us.
4. Pray: Are you struggling with some sin?  What deeper bondage is still not released?  Does your guilt hold you back from Jesus?  Talk to Him about this.  Sit silently, listen for Jesus’ response.  What is his desire for you?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 29:5-8

⁵ A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads a net for his feet.
⁶ An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
    but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
⁷ A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
    a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
⁸ Scoffers set a city aflame,
    but the wise turn away wrath.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

⁸ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.⁹ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

¹¹ Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, ¹² waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! ¹³ But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: Peter urged his readers to trust the prophets and apostles despite scoffers who ridicule the Lord’s second coming and deliberately ignore past divine judgment.  God’s timing is different from ours, but this present world will surely be destroyed.  So, be godly and grow in grace.
2. Peter gave two insights into the lengthy delay between the promise of Jesus’ return and its fulfillment. First, God doesn’t view time as we do.  What we might refer to as “a couple of days”, He might think of just as “a few thousand years”.  So we can’t impose our time sense on God. Second, God has good reason for the delay.  Christ hasn’t returned yet, because the Lord does not wish that “any should perish”.  As long as Jesus is absent, the door to salvation remains open.  But when Jesus comes, that door will slam shut. And then it will be too late.
3. Peter then wanted us to know that, when “the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved”, every material things we treasure will be all gone.  So, Peter wanted us to act appropriately.  The Message puts vv11-12 this way: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 29:1-4

¹ He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
    will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
² When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
³ He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
⁴ By justice a king builds up the land,
    but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹ But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. ² And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.³ And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

¹⁷ These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸ For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. ²⁰ For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. ²² What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: Peter warned that false teachers who exploit believers will face judgment.  They were arrogant and immoral, and appealed to man’s sinful desires.
2. Peter insisted that genuine freedom is found in willingly submitting to the life God has ordered and arranged.  The false teachers declare, “We are free because we do whatever we please.  We are free from all boundaries, restrictions, restraints”. Exactly the opposite is true.  We have been created for freedom, but we discover our freedom only by following God’s steps.  False teachers ignore God’s way, and are wandering aimlessly.
3. Among the people you know and care, is there anyone who is living in so-called “freedom” but actually in bondage and bitterness?
4. Grieve with God over this person’s unwillingness to follow God’s way to enjoy genuine freedom.  Pray specifically for this person.  Pray also for an opportunity that you may share the true freedom with him/her.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 28:25-28

²⁵ A greedy man stirs up strife,
    but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
²⁶ Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
    but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will not want,
    but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
²⁸ When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,
    but when they perish, the righteous increase.