December 9

Chasing Away Fear

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30 New American Standard).

Scripture: Luke 1:26-30

Song:: Blessed Assurance

God has said that if we believe in his son, we have nothing to fear. If we believe in Jesus we have Jesus, and we have the father’s blessing. Mary was a young woman who was afraid because she had seen an angel. We do not know much about Mary, but we do know she believed God. Because of her belief, she had found favor with God.

Throughout the scriptures, we are told that God gives approval to people who believe. In Genesis, 15:5 Abraham was called righteous because he believed God.

Today, we can take hope, that just as Mary found favor with God, we too can find favor with God. When we know we have God on our side, then we realize we have nothing to fear. We can also rest in the truth of Romans 8:28 that says all things work for the good of the Christian.

While there are things that make people afraid, as believers, we know that God himself has all things under His control. As a result, we have no need to fear. Whatever may happen to us, good or bad, we are children of God and we have found favor with Him.

Prayer thoughts: Lord we thank you for giving us favor and kindness, along with a place with you in eternity. We recognize that this is out of your goodness, and that we do not deserve the good you give us, but we raise our hands to praise your goodness and glory.

December 10

Doing the Impossible

For nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37, New International Version).

Scripture: Luke 1:34-38

Song: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

For a virgin to have a child, and for that child to be the Son of God, must have been beyond anything Mary could have comprehended. It certainly was not physically possible, and must have seemed very unlikely to this young Jewish woman. From a human standpoint, even the idea of her offspring becoming the ruler of the House of David, must have seemed unlikely. Mary was afraid, but she did believe God, and was willing to have him do the impossible through her.

Today there are things that may seem impossible to us as believers. Many things are impossible for us to accomplish. Instead of becoming discouraged, we should realize, that God never said that we should be able to do the impossible. He has only said that we should believe in Him and that He would do the impossible in order to achieve His purposes.

We are finite and small beings in a very large world. However, our God is very big. While things are impossible for us, nothing is impossible for God. It could be that the impossible things you face in your life are opportunities for God to do the impossible through you.

Prayer thoughts: Lord we ask you to forgive us for not believing in your greatness, and that you can accomplish anything. Lord help us to see your greatness, and to have greater faith so that we may see you work miracles in our lives.

December 11

Believing is seeing

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! (Luke 1:45, New International Version).

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Song: Faith is the Victory

God has always wanted us to believe Him and His words. Believing is accepting the things God has said as though they were absolutely true even though you have no evidence to prove them. It is saying what God has said is true, regardless of what the situation might say. It is catching a glimpse of the reality in our minds, even though it has not yet happened.

This does not mean that we will get rich financially, or have all our dreams come true, but it does mean that we will receive God’s promises if we believe them.

When we believe what God has said exciting things happen, both in the spiritual world and the physical. In the spiritual world, our spirits grow as our faith grows. There is fellowship on the spiritual level with our Heavenly father when we believe in him, and in his precious promises. On the physical level, when we believe, we have hope. Hope in God does not leave one disappointed.

We will not be shaken by our circumstances, because we have the promises of God. When we have faith, we see things God has promised happening, even if they are not yet happening.

Prayer thoughts: Lord we thank you that you have given us many promises, and that we have seen many of them accomplished in our lives. Thank you father for using Mary to bring your son into the world so that we all might receive your many gifts.

December 12

The right kind of hunger

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:53, New International Version).

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Song: Just as I am

We were all born hungry. The most obvious form of hunger is for physical food, and as a result of that we eat and are generally healthy.

There is also another natural hunger that we all have, which is a hunger for a sense of significance in the world. People try many ways to satisfy this hunger, things like money, power, accomplishments, pleasure and so forth. These things will work for a time, and they can make people feel self sufficient, and rich in their own eyes.

When we are living in this way, God will give us nothing. When we are self sufficient we have no need for God, and therefore, he sends us away empty handed.

However, those that recognize that things will not fill the inner needs look towards God. They see their destitute condition, realizing that they are powerless to find a lasting sense of well being. They realize they have no choice but to turn to God to find a sense of significance in this life.

When this happens, we become hungry for the right things, we become hungry for God. God is always generous and willing to feed those that are hungry for Him.

Prayer thoughts: Lord, we thank you that you have given us hunger, so that we may know what it is to be filled by your glory and presence in our lives. Lord please fill us as we realize that we are a needy and hungry people.

December 13

Our refuge in the storm

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. (Psalm 71:20-21, New International Version).

Scripture: Psalm 71:15-21

Song: Great is thy faithfulness

There are bad things that happen in our lives and those close to us. Often we can feel despair as we suffer through hardships of life. As children of God, we have not been promised that we will be spared from life’s difficulties. Jesus said rain falls on the just and the unjust, meaning that things happen in the world regardless of who people are. Some have tried to blame misfortune on sin, but there is no Biblical basis for such an idea.

Even though we are not always protected from the bad things that can happen in our lives, we have a deeper hope in the future. We have an inheritance we shall receive one day. In John 14, Jesus said there are many rooms prepared for us in Heaven, and that he is preparing them for us at this moment.

As Christians, we have this blessed hope. We know that one day we will live with Him in Glory. We know, even if we die, God will raise us up on the last day. Let us focus on this truth, that no matter what happens, God will lift us up and comfort us in His time.

Prayer thoughts: Lord we have seen trouble in our lives. We thank you that you have been by our side every step of the way, protecting and comforting us as we lift our hearts up to you. You alone are the great healer of all our wounds.

December 14

God’s calling cards

He has caused his wonders to be remembered;

the LORD is gracious and compassionate. (Psalm 111:4 New International Version).

Scripture: Psalm 111:1-6

Song: How Great Thou Art

Science has made tremendous advances in its understanding of the natural world, which we Christians hold to be the creation of God. Many scientists do not believe in God, yet the truth is, they continually study the works and wonders of God. They still delight in studying his handiwork. Through scientific research, we have learned how the natural world works. We have found many medications that save countless lives through understanding of how drugs work and how our bodies work.

In Romans 1:20, Paul writes that God has revealed himself through the natural world. Part of the reason for this is that God is compassionate towards his creation. Though people may not believe in God, they have the evidence before them.

Part of the reason for this, is that God wants us to all believe. His spirit calls to all of us, even those that refuse to believe. God is gracious and compassionate. He wants everyone to believe so that they may enjoy fellowship with Him forever. God’s compassion for man draws him to make his wonders remembered.

Even in His creation of the natural world, God calls to man because God wants us to know Him.

Prayer thoughts: Lord you are a compassionate and gracious God. We thank you that you have given us your works as signs so that we may know to believe in you and your goodness to us.

December 15

An honest deal

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-5

Song:

Advertising companies offer to rescue us from debt, if we will just sign up for their credit card. Others offer us freedom from financial worry, if we will just buy their secret to gaining wealth. They promise to change our lives and to deliver us from any concern we might have. This is playing on people’s fear that they will not be able to do what they need to do to provide for themselves and their families.

There are countless other gimmicks that play on our fears in a society that is based on materialism. However, God offers us a quiet different deal. His plan is quiet radical, calling on us to seek Him instead of worldly wealth.

He does not promise that we will not have financial difficulty, but he does promise us a way to have spiritual security that will last forever. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us to not store up treasures on earth, but to seek heavenly treasure. Earthly treasure can be lost, stolen or otherwise rendered useless. The treasure we get from heaven is eternal. It will last us our whole lives, and throughout eternity. To get this we need only seek him.

Prayer thoughts: Lord we thank you that you are the one who rescues us from all our troubles. We need not lean on wordly understanding or solutions, because you are the ultimate answer. Help us to not be deceived by the answers the world offers.