Big Gifts in Small Beginnings
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, In the aftermath of your big Christmas celebrations, don’t forget the words of My servant Zechariah, “Do not despise these small beginnings…” (Zechariah 4:10 NLT). In a time of rebuilding in Jerusalem after seven decades of captivity in Babylon, some of the people of Israel were not ready to accept the small new beginning that they were able to accomplish. But the Father has often begun great new things with small beginnings. My birth was one of them! There are many reasons to rejoice in My birth, even though the accommodations were crude, the story is simple, and I was small. Don’t despise these small beginnings. The greatness of God came to you in a tiny bundle of human flesh and was placed in a feeding trough — I was that tiny bundle, Jesus your Savior and Lord. The Father is trying to tell you something important. You can see His message in My small beginnings in the overlooked hamlet of Bethlehem, placed in a feeding trough, surrounded by only shepherds and a couple of young and powerless parents. But if you look and listen to the edges of My story, you can see heaven’s glorious new beginnings with the angels, God’s heavenly messengers, filling the sky with heaven’s glory. You can see the magi, easterners, coming from far away at great risk to worship Me. You see an angel warn Joseph to get Me to safety in Egypt. With Matthew’s reminder, you see that My small beginnings were all to fulfill God’s plan given through the prophets centuries earlier. The Father has always used those who knew they were not up to the task ahead based on their own limited resources, power, insight, political clout, speaking ability, or circumstances. This way, the Lord‘s power is seen every day, and common folks are caught up in glory. Yes, your God — Father, Son, and Spirit — reminds you that many of Our biggest gifts to you come in small beginnings. So like the young boy who brought Me five loaves and two fish when everyone else was skeptical, why don’t you bring Me what you have and let’s see what I can make of you. I have great plans for you, so let’s start with small beginnings and rejoice in seeing the big gifts that are to come! Verses to Live Paul said it well to the Corinthians: But celebrate this: God selected the world’s foolish to bring shame upon those who think they are wise; likewise, He selected the world’s weak to bring disgrace upon those who think they are strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27) Grace means more than salvation FROM sin: it also means salvation FOR something important. Let’s begin where you are now with grace, and let Me lead you to the Father’s plan for you! Paul explained this kind of grace this way: For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago. (Ephesians 2:8-10) Let’s rejoice in what lies ahead! Compose a new song, and sing it to the Eternal because of the unbelievable things He has done; He has won the victory with the skill of His right hand and strength of His holy arm. The Eternal has made it clear that He saves, and He has shown the nations that He does what is right. He has been true to His promises; fresh in His mind is His unfailing love for all of Israel. Even the ends of the earth have witnessed how our God saves. Raise your voices; make a beautiful noise to the Eternal, all the earth. Let your joy explode into song and praise; make music to the Eternal with the harp; sing a beautiful melody with the harp and chorus. With trumpets and horns, fill the air with joyful sounds to the King, the Eternal. (Psalm 98:1-6) Response in Prayer Almighty God, thank You for taking small things and making them big, weak things and making them strong, and forgotten things and making them special. I know You have plans for me, so I offer myself to You, to be used for Your purposes and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I offer myself to You. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – John 12:26
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. —John 12:26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We can’t out-serve, out-love, or out-give Jesus. He longs to bless us. He longs to pour out heaven’s riches and grace upon us. Even more incredibly, he longs to honor us as his friends and younger brothers and sisters in God’s family. When our lives are over, God the Father, LORD of the entire universe, will honor all who have served his Son and blessed others in Jesus’ name! Jesus promised that the Father would bring us home to Himself, who will honor us! Unbelievable? No! It’s just another example of God’s incredible grace given to us in Jesus. And Jesus promised us: Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. My Prayer… Loving Father and Holy God, please help me follow the will of Jesus, obey his teachings, and serve others as he did when he was on earth. Father, I know I cannot earn your grace, but I want to follow Jesus. I want to serve others in his name. I want to help them find your grace in Jesus, too. So, I pray this in his name to honor you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Hebrews 12:25
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? —Hebrews 12:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As with all the daily verses this year, we are syncing with the date, so finding a 12:25 reference related to Jesus’ birth was difficult. But I believe that Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection confront us with a choice on what to do with the wonder, joy, and glory God has lavished on us in Jesus. When God made Herod face the choice of what to do with Jesus, the evil and corrupt king met Jesus with violent rejection, jealous hatred, and murderous intent. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zachariah, Anna, Simeon, the shepherds, the angels, and the magi joyfully accepted God’s invitation to grace in Jesus. We can, too! With the gift of Jesus comes a tremendous opportunity and responsibility: we must choose to listen, obey, follow, and honor Christ — both the Christ child and Christ, who is our Savior and LORD! Since God demanded that his people obey his lesser messengers — prophets, priests, and kings in the days before Jesus — imagine how much more is our responsibility. God emptied heaven of his Son’s glory to send him to earth as one of us so that the Light of Life could shine on us and bring us salvation. What a glorious gift, a divine present! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for sending your Son and my Savior, Jesus. Please, dear LORD, I do not want to ever take the gift of Jesus for granted. Please, Holy Spirit, empower me and give me wisdom so I can faithfully know, obey, and honor Jesus with my life as you transform me with increasing glory to become more and more like him. I thank you and ask for your continuing grace, Father, in the precious name of Jesus, the Christ child and my LORD! Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – John 12:24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. —John 12:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus announced this truth while recognizing that God had called him to lay down his life so his followers could join him in glory. Sacrifice is never easy, but despite his disciples’ lack of courage, wrong-headedness, and faith failures during his last hours, Jesus truly believed that his sacrifice would bring out the best in them. He was confident that his example of sacrifice would lead them to share his grace and glory through sacrificing themselves to bless others. Jesus wants his example to do the same in us! As we honor Jesus’ sacrifice today, we realize that we prove he was correct about his powerful impact on his disciples and others who came after them. Jesus offered himself as a seed put into the ground and died, but his death produced many seeds that continue to extend his grace and open their hearts to eternal hope! My Prayer… Thank you, LORD Jesus, for all you did to ransom me from sin and death. Thank you for leaving heaven and living here among us. Thank you for being compassionate and full of holy character as you offered your time and love to all kinds of people. Thank you for loving your own even though they abandoned you. Thank you for enduring the cross and conquering death for me. I look forward to seeing you when you return with glory in the company of the angels as we all get to see the many seeds that came from you. To you be all honor, glory, power, love, and praise forever. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Luke 12:23
Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. —Luke 12:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In the rush of the holiday season and the grab at getting and giving gifts while eating good food, it is very important to remember that life is much more than the most basic things we think we need — like food and clothing. If we lose sight of God this season, miss his work, or lose track of his will in our lives, then what do we have that is lasting? Not much, and what we do have won’t endure. My prayer for you and me during this holiday season is that we are reminded of what is most important, valuable, and enduring — our life in Jesus and his loving grace and boundless future for us. Let’s celebrate that eternal joy in this season! My Prayer… Sweet and precious, God, you are almighty in power and awesome in glory. Yet, dear Father, you are also near and eternally concerned about me and those I love. Thank you for knowing and loving me with your everlasting love. Please give me the wisdom to see beyond the transitory things of life — the perishable things I think I need — and help me find you and your sustaining presence. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Samuel 12:22
For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. —1 Samuel 12:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The great and holy God will not be unfaithful. He will act to show his character and honor his holy name, even when we, his people, don’t deserve his grace. Why God would love and preserve us and our great Israelite ancestors is nothing short of grace, love, and faithfulness. Why would the Father send the Son to live among us, die on the cross, and raise him back to life to defeat death? Because of his grace, love, and faithfulness. If God did this in the past, how much more will he not display his grace, love, and faithfulness in the days and years to come?! My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, your grace has not only saved me but also sustains me even when the evil one tries to use my personal failures to make me doubt your love for me. Thank you for triumphing over my unworthiness and blessing me your righteousness so that I will be fit for your kingdom and glory. I praise you in Jesus’ name, the name of the Son who is full of grace, abounding in love, and enduring in faithfulness. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. —Romans 12:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… A friend used to remind me that the number one goal in dealing with difficult people or circumstances is this: “Don’t become what you hate.” He wasn’t talking about hating the person, but he meant that we don’t want to become evil, wicked, petty, and sinful in our actions and motivations — the things we hate about their behaviors. We don’t overcome the devil by underhanded and dishonorable means. We overcome evil and drive it back into the abyss of hell with the evil one by doing what is right and filling our hearts and lives with goodness (Philippians 4:). There is no greater example of overcoming evil with good than Jesus. And the Spirit is working with us to transform us to become like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18), whom we love and desire to emulate. My Prayer… Holy God, please bless us with your holy character as we resist those who are critical, cynical, and vengeful toward us because we are followers of Jesus. Please help us respond to our critics in ways reflecting Christ’s character and Lordship. In his name, the name of Jesus, we ask this. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 1 Samuel 12:20
“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.” —1 Samuel 12:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Israel wanted a King. This rebellion against God as LORD and King crushed Samuel’s heart and angered God at the people’s lack of faith. Samuel reminded God’s people that while they have stumbled and fallen because of their political concerns, they must not abandon the LORD himself. Instead, their political concerns must give way to their total allegiance to God and a willingness to serve him fully as LORD and King. In the middle of their politically fueled fear, anger, arrogance, disappointment, triumph, defeat, conflict, confusion, confidence, rivalry, and self-will, God wanted them to turn to him — not their political parties and political champions. Their hope must lie with God! I believe this is a lesson from history that we should heed. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Forgive us, dear Father, for our sinfulness, short-sightedness, and silliness that we have, at times, shown regarding rulers, nations, and our source of hope. We want to serve you with an undivided heart, cleansed by your forgiveness and enabled by the transforming power of your Holy Spirit as we trust in you as our LORD, Savior, and King. We thank you and ask for this grace in Jesus’ name, Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. —Proverbs 12:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Tell the truth the first time, then you won’t have to remember what you said.” This truism by the famous Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, is good medicine for us today. Telling a lie seems gratifying at the time, but it nearly always catches up with us and gives us the added burden of trying to remember what we said and why. Truth endures; a lie is a momentary illusion that ends up in a trap filled with burdens. My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, please forgive me for lying, exaggerating, and withholding the truth when the truth needs to be told. I yearn for my heart and my lips to be invested in forever — your forever — so please help me as I seek to tell the truth with holy integrity. In the name of Jesus, I ask for your help. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
The Time Is Near and You Are Busy!
Note from Jesus Dear Precious One, Christmas is close! What are you feeling? Is it fear? …pressure? …stress? …worry? …sadness? Please don’t lose Me in the last minute crush of making travel arrangements, buying gifts, running by the bank, planning family get-togethers, and going to church. If you listen carefully to My story, you will find that the same type of stresses that you have also were part of My birth story, too. Magi had seen the star and were traveling a long way to come to bring Me presents and worship Me. My earthly parents-to-be had to make a trip to Bethlehem, My stepfather’s ancestral home, to register for the census for tax purposes. There was no proper place for them to stay or for My mother to give birth to Me. Shepherds made a trip into town to worship Me and everyone got excited. Everything about My birth is a connection of your world to the Father and His grace. The Father wants you to know that He knows all about the pressures, inconveniences, detours, problems, unforeseen changes, and wild things that happen in the rush to see family, buy gifts, travel, juggle finances, and do church stuff. He knows these things not just because He is God; He also knows them because, in Me, God entered your world and experienced them — was in the center of them. Pause and listen to a few words of My story. Listen long enough for these words to touch your heart. If you look and listen for Me, you can find Me, even in the middle of your busy Christmas plans! Verses to Live Taxes, census, travel, family history, medical needs, and trouble finding a room? Yep, they are in My story! Around the time of Elizabeth’s amazing pregnancy and John’s birth, the emperor in Rome, Caesar Augustus, required everyone in the Roman Empire to participate in a massive census — the first census since Quirinius had become governor of Syria. Each person had to go to his or her ancestral city to be counted. Mary’s fiancée Joseph, from Nazareth in Galilee, had to participate in the census in the same way everyone else did. Because he was a descendant of King David, his ancestral city was Bethlehem, David’s birthplace. Mary, who was now late in her pregnancy that the messenger Gabriel had predicted, accompanied Joseph. While in Bethlehem, she went into labor and gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid Him in a feeding trough because the inn had no room for them. (Luke 2:1-7) Work, travel, surprising lights, unexpected guests, and worship services? Yes, they are in My story, too. At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers — a vast heavenly choir. They praised God. Heavenly Choir: To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God! And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God! As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation. Shepherds: Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the Lord has told us about. (Luke 2:13-15) Are long trips a big part of your Christmas? Yep, they were a part of my birth! Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in the province of Judea, at the time when King Herod reigned. Not long after Jesus was born, magi, wise men or seers from the East, made their way from the East to Jerusalem. These wise men made inquiries. Wise Men: Where is this newborn, Who is the King of the Jews? When we were far away in the East we saw His star, and we have followed its glisten and gleam all this way to worship Him. (Matthew 2:1-2) Remember, I’m here with you in the middle of the busy craziness of this time of year if you will invite Me in to share it with you! Response in Prayer Loving Father, as Christmas approaches, please settle my spirit as I try to open my heart to Your gift of Jesus. I don’t want to be distracted by all the things going on around me and miss the gift of Your Son, the love of family, and the many ways Your grace has touched my world. Open my eyes and ears and let the joy of Your presence fill my heart and shine forth in my words and actions as I celebrate the gift of Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.