Month: December 2023

Esther 9:1-10:3; Malachi 3:7-4:6; Revelation 22:6-21

And Abraham…called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. Genesis 21:33

One rendering of, “the everlasting God”, is literally, “the God of the vanishing point”. Standing on the road of life, the vanishing point is that spot in the distance where the road disappears, and our eyes no longer see what lies ahead. A new year is beginning tomorrow. Who knows what it will hold? We may find that even tomorrow will not unfold as predicted. But one certainty we can rest upon, is that the everlasting God is already waiting in all of our tomorrows and He will complete the work He has begun in us. —S. McEachern

O how sweet the glorious message, simple faith may claim:
Yesterday, today, forever; Jesus is the same. —A. B. Simpson

Esther 7:1-8:27; Malachi 2:10-3:6; Revelation 21:9-22:5

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

While out for a walk, I saw a young woman hugging a tree. She told me she hugs a different tree every day. I smiled and began pondering how we all need something to hang on to. Some hug their wallets, others their reputation, and some a tree. I’m glad to know that God invites us to hang on to Him! The Bible tells us we can have hope for this
life and eternity through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Hugging or hanging on to things doesn’t give us lasting hope—but Jesus can. Will you trust Him today? —Deborah Manera

I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me.  —Dwight L. Moody

Esther 5:1-6:14; Malachi 1:1-2:9; Revelation 20:7-21:8

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father…in heaven. Matthew 5:16

This morning as I opened a gate I could not help but notice the beautiful foxglove in front of me. I began setting up a tape to contain the cattle and there were more foxgloves. Some were standing regal and beautiful. Others had been knocked over by cattle but still they continued to bloom and beautify where they were growing. Do you feel discouraged today? Are you disheartened with your lot? Bloom and flourish where you are, that others may be encouraged to keep pressing on, or may come to know the Saviour. —Janet Fleming

Be a light for Jesus, shine now for Him,
Others soon will see it too,
You can help the Saviour reach to the world,
Let your light shine bright and true. —Janet Fleming

Esther 3:1-4:17; Zechariah 13:7-14:21; Revelation 19:11-20:6

But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer… Psalm 40:17
The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us. Psalm 115:12

What an amazing thought! The mighty God of heaven, the Lord of all creation, is actually interested in you and me! Friend, no matter how hard things may be for you today, there is One who thinks about you! He knows what you are going through and fully understands how you are feeling. More than that, He can help you, if you’ll let Him. —Pete Smith

Thy thoughts concerning me, O God,
Are precious and divine,
Outnumbering the sands of time,
They assure me I am Thine.  —J. T. Nickens

Esther 2:1-23; Zechariah 12:1-13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV

Today is now, but stay focused on then. Some may see the completed Canon here but let it touch your heart in another way. Let us be humble about the spiritual light we hold firmly just now, knowing that our understanding is incomplete until then. No matter how many sleepless nights we wrestle with our trial, we will still only know in part just now. Better still, our deficit in appreciating Christ now, will soon give way to the eternal “then”, when face to face, we shall behold Him. —Peter Ramsay

What rejoicing in His presence, when are banished grief and pain;
When the crooked ways are straightened and the dark things shall be plain.
Face to face, O, blissful moment! Face to face, to see and know. —C. Ellis Breck

Esther 1:1-22; Zechariah 11:1-17; Revelation 18:1-24

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 NKJV

Bethlehem is prominent in three Old Testament scenes. At Bethlehem, Jacob gave his newborn son two names; “son of my sorrow” and “son of my right hand” (Gen. 35:18). Godly Boaz lived at Bethlehem. He is the Kinsman Redeemer, a man of great wealth (Ruth 2:1). David too lived at Bethlehem. He appears, first as a shepherd, but also as the anointed, future King (1 Sam. 16). What a wonderful progression we see in Bethlehem: a Man of Sorrows, a Saviour, a Shepherd, and a Sovereign. — Gary McBride

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight. —P. Brooks

Nehemiah 13:1-31; Zechariah 9:1-10:12; Revelation 17:1-18

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 NKJV

It is becoming increasingly difficult to find the word “Christmas” in shops and cards. Christians are told to be more inclusive and to respect the beliefs of non-Christians. What most do not realize is that Christmas is not exclusively for Christians. The incarnation of Jesus Christ, “the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42), was for all humanity. When we celebrate the Lord’s birth or wish someone “Merry Christmas” we are, in fact, preaching the Gospel. The angels’ glad announcement echoes down through history in the happy proclamation that, “Christ is born! Merry  Christmas!”. —Jared D. Fraser

Hail the heaven born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. —C. Wesley

Nehemiah 12:1-47; Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14

“The Word was made flesh”, tells us that God the Son became man, something He had never been before. Taking upon Himself flesh and blood, (Heb. 2:14), He became one of us. Stooping from the eternal glories of heaven, He came down past the angels and seraphim, to a dwelling for animals, to a lowly manger, He entered our world and experienced the full spectrum of human life—apart from sin. Ultimately, His earthly sojourn led to Calvary and our
salvation. At this Christmas season may we reflect on all His glory, but particularly on the glory of His humility. —Jim Comte

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. —C. Wesley

Nehemiah 10:1-11:36; Zechariah 7:1-14; Revelation 15:1-8

Behold, God is my salvation (Yeshua); I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation (Yeshua). Isaiah 12:2

When the angel told Joseph to name his “son” Yeshua, surely the immense significance would not have been lost, as it should not be with us. In the 77 occurrences of Yeshua in the Old Testament, none shine brighter than in this verse. Our Lord Jesus has always been God the Deliverer. When we trust Him as our Saviour, He becomes God our Deliverer. And since God Himself is for us, who can ever hope to be against us? —Rick Morse

Divine Deliverer, Thou alone;
Thy people from the deep could bring,
The glorious triumph, all Thine own:
Thy Name, Thy might, Thy grace we sing. —Mary Peters

Nehemiah 9:1-38; Zechariah 5:1-6:15; Revelation 14:1-20

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child…and fell down and worshiped Him. Matt. 2:10-11 NKJV

These wisemen were seeking the true King from heaven. They had traveled a great distance to find Him. The trip cost time, money and was dangerous. And yet they felt it was worth it. Their faithfulness was rewarded as the star unerringly led them to Jesus Christ, the King. In contrast, King Herod sought earthly power and worship from others and so did not see the star. What is it that you are seeking? —Vickie Gaynier

And wisemen still seek Him, they follow a star,
That leads them to Jesus as travelers afar.
Men of great nations and the poor of the earth,
All join together to proclaim Christ’s birth. —Lynn Cooper