Today’s Verse – John 1:12
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God… —John 1:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isn’t it incredible that we are called children of God!? But that is precisely who we are (1 John 3:1-3): God’s children! Our Father created the universe with its billions and billions of stars and planets. Our Father paints a new sunset every evening and chases away the darkness every single morning. Our Father not only loves us; he also claims us as his own and will bring us to his eternal home. Why? Because we heard God’s message to us in Jesus. Because we received God’s grace offered to us in his Son. Because we trust that God’s grace is received and made real to us through our faith in Jesus. Incredible! Glorious! Grace! Adoption! My Prayer… Abba Father, thank you for claiming me as one of your children because of your grace and through my faith in Christ Jesus. I praise and thank you in his 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 – John 1:11
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. —John 1:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus came to his own things – the world he had created and the land God had promised his people – and his very own people didn’t receive him. Sometimes we are misled by OUR desires and OUR dreams for what Jesus will do for us that we miss what God wants for us and from us. Let’s not let the following be true in our lives. “Jesus came to me, but I wasn’t ready to receive him. I had other things I wanted to do and other things I wanted to experience before I fully surrendered my heart to him.” Each time we put off surrendering our will to Jesus, each time we push him away as LORD, we allow our hearts to harden, and it becomes easier and easier to push him away. Now, while our hearts are still attentive to his grace, let’s renew our commitment to him, wholly and afresh, offering Jesus our hearts and lives to be used for his glory and grace. Let’s not put it off. It may be too late for us if we do! My Prayer… Holy God, I surrender my heart to your will. Precious Jesus, now more than ever, I recognize you as my LORD. I want to serve you and honor you in all areas of my life. Please forgive me for resisting your guidance or turning away from your commands. I know you left everything and gave up everything to save me. So now, dear LORD, please mold me into the person you want me to be and use me in ways that bless others and bring you glory. 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 1:18
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only [Son], who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. —John 1:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus IS God’s greatest message. He not only proclaims and declares God’s love, mercy, and grace, but he has also made them known to us. Only Jesus can display God to us fully, for he is one with the Father. When we “see” Jesus ministering in the Gospels, we “see” God ministering. If we want to know how God feels about us, all we have to do is look at how Jesus ministers to others. If we want to know what God would do for us, we can notice what Jesus does to bless others. Jesus is our window to the Father’s heart. So, as this year winds down, and as you stand in the afterglow of Christmas, why not make a commitment to get to know Jesus better in this coming year by spending more time with him in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). If you read one chapter a day, you can go through all four gospels four times in the coming year – and have a day or two left over. When you do, you will not only better know Jesus, but the Holy Spirit will also help you better know the heart of the Father! My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for giving me a window to your heart through the life and ministry of Jesus. Please bless me as I seek to know you better by knowing, understanding, and following Jesus more passionately. O Father, please make me more JESUShaped* as I seek to know him more completely. I pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, my LORD and Savior. Amen. * JESUShaped is being transformed by the Holy Spirit to more closely resemble Jesus in word, thought, and deeds (Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:28-29).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 2:20
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. —Luke 2:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Can you imagine the shepherds returning to their flocks after the night they had? They had seen God’s glory. They had experienced the presence of the angel of the LORD. They had seen the newborn King, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. It was just as they had been told by the holy heavenly messenger. As amazing as the angel’s words of announcement had been, they were gloriously fulfilled. Jesus the Christ was newly born; he was also the absolute answer to God’s greatest promises and the greatest assurance that God keeps his word. Incredibly, God had chosen shepherds, unnamed to us and unimportant to their peers, to be the first human witnesses and participants in God’s glorious story of salvation in sending his Messiah. I believe Luke wanted to remind us that no matter who we are or where we seem to be on the social pecking order, Jesus came for us. Joseph and Mary were peasants. The shepherds were young and outcasts. Simeon and Anna were old and devout frequenters of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The Magi were foreigners from Persia. The coming of Jesus to our world tells us immediately that Jesus came for all people – young and old, insider or outsider, powerful or powerless, influential or inconsequential in influence. Jesus came for us… for you… for me! My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, I can only imagine what it was like for those shepherds who experienced your glory. However, dear Father, I do know how much Jesus means to me. I praise you for loving me and reaching my heart with your grace. In Jesus’ glorious name, I offer you my life and praise. 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 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” —Luke 2:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… There is only one proper response for God’s gift of Jesus – our praise and adoration. Heaven’s angels worship with praise and adoration at Jesus’ birth. So should we! God’s love, grace, favor, blessing, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation come to us through the incredible gift of Jesus’ coming to earth. How can we not praise him? How can our hearts remain still and voices remain silent before such an amazing and gracious God? They can’t, or at least they shouldn’t, at least right now! Let’s see our joyous worship of Christ our King as the reminder that we need to reach as many other people as possible so they can join our chorus of praise. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus is LORD to the glory of the Father (Philippians 2:10-11)! Those who welcome that day of salvation will do so because they had bowed and confessed Jesus before his glorious return. So, let’s say it loudly: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace on those on whom God’s favor rests.” Amen. Hallelujah! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, you are glorious. Your grace is marvelous. Your gift of Jesus is magnificent. We give you all of our praise for sharing your glory and grace with us by sending Jesus to earth. Now, we offer our prayer to him who intercedes at your right hand (Romans 8:34), and we offer you and him our praise. 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 2:11
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” —Luke 2:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Look at all the angel reveals in this verse. Jesus is a descendant of David, the king of eternal promise (1 Kings 8:25-26). He is the Savior of all peoples. He is Christ, the Messiah, the promised hope of Israel. He is LORD, ruler of all creation and master of our lives. The real question is not who is this one placed in a manger, but whether we have decided that this Jesus means all those things to us today? If he is not your Savior today, why not ask him to be and seek him? And if he is, then with whom do you need to share his amazing love and grace? My Prayer… Father, I praise you for sending Jesus to be our LORD and Savior. Help us as we seek to share your grace and Jesus’ story with those we love and long to find him as their Savior and honor him as their LORD. O God, the following specific people are on my heart, and I ask you to use the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to Jesus… (Let’s each name specific people we know that need to come to Jesus!) In the precious name of the Savior, we 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.
Blessed Christmas!
Our prayer is that the presence of Jesus be with you and fill you with hope, peace, and love! In a year of trouble, sorrow, isolation, and loss, our prayer is that you can experience the presence of Immanuel, God with us! All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:22-23). In the beginning the Word already existed.The Word was with God,and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him,and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created,and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us (John 1:1-18 NLT). May your greatest blessings this Christmas be the family and friends gathered around you, the memories of past Christmases where grace abounded, and your steadfast faith that the One Who came as Immanuel is coming again! Special thanks for the use of images related to Jesus’ ministry from The Lumo Project and Free Bible Images. About the author: Phil Ware has authored 11 years of daily devotionals, including VerseoftheDay.com, read by 500,000 people a day. He works with churches in transition with Interim Ministry Partners and for the past 21+ years, he has been editor and president of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, author of VerseoftheDay.com, God’s Holy Fire (on the Holy Spirit), and aYearwithJesus.com. Phil has also authored four books, daily devotionals on each of the four gospels.
Today’s Verse – Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” —Luke 2:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Do not be afraid.” That’s what the angel of the LORD tells the shepherds as they see him and the glory of the LORD” shining around them. They were terrified because the angel was unexpected, glorious, and overwhelming. So, what can cast away fear in such a moment of heaven’s glorious radiance? The joy of knowing that God has come to earth to end the domination of sin, death, and hell over human existence (Hebrews 2:14-15). God has come himself in Jesus as Immanuel (Matthew 1:23) to end the evil one’s curse and bring salvation for all people. Terror must not master our hearts, only holy fear, a deep reverence and awe as we realize that God has broken through every barrier to reach us with his overwhelming grace and presence in Jesus. Yes, we welcome this “news of great joy for all the people,” and pledge to share it with the world because the LORD has come! My Prayer… We praise you, Almighty God, for the gift of joyous love that chases away all of our fear.* Fill our hearts with your joy and fill our minds with reverent wonder as we lean close to comprehend your love for us. Stir us with greater concern for those who have not heard of your Son’s coming, don’t understand the power of his love, and have not yet accepted your offer of grace in him. We pray in thanks, joy, and praise for Jesus’ coming and his intercession for us as we pray. Amen. * 1 John 4:18.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.
Daily Prayer for December 24
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”…Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10–11, 13–14, NIV Lord God, our Father in heaven, you have sent us the Savior, who was born to bring great joy to all people. Glorify your name, we pray. Give the world the peace you alone can give, the peace that wells up in our hearts. Let your favor rest on us so that we may hold out under our sufferings on earth. We need your loving help to remain inwardly steadfast until everyone can be reached by the message, “Be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.” Amen. Recent articles on Plough Carol of the Birds Marianne Wright Listen to a carol that Pablo Casals considered one of the most beautiful melodies ever created. Read now The Legend of the Christmas Rose Selma Lagerlöf In this Christmas story, an outcast family of robbers, a sympathetic abbot, and a hard-hearted lay brother witness a miracle. Read now God’s Wisdom Made Visible Elizabeth Lev Giotto di Bondone’s Nativity was a revolutionary work in its time. Read now Caroling to Neighbors Bethany Joy Hebbard Caroling with children may feel awkward, but it’s a great way to share Christmas with neighbors – and to recall Mary and Joseph going door to door. Read now The Child Who Turned the World Upside-Down Sigrid Undset The devil, no matter his disguise, is no match for Mary’s son. Read now
Today’s Verse – Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. —Luke 2:6-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Despite Jesus’ miraculous conception in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, the LORD entered our world in the most common of ways. The time came to be born, his mother went into labor, she gave birth to her child, the child was welcomed and wrapped in soft cloths, and placed in a crib. Jesus’ birth wasn’t just “normal”; it was common, even below average conditions for his birth. When the Son of God was born, he wasn’t placed in a crib. Instead, he was placed in a manger where animals ate. His room was not in a house, but a stable. No one made room for him in an inn or a house. Neither of his parents’ families opened their homes or hearts to him, even though Bethlehem was also their likely destination for the census. The holy God who created everything enters our world as baby Jesus to share our way of life as one of us in such low circumstances. Why? He loves us and wants us to know we can come home to him no matter our circumstances. Incredible… incredible story… incredible birth… incredible love… because of our incredible God! My Prayer… O LORD God Almighty, how can I ever show you how much the gift of your Son means to me? I am struck with wonder and joy that you should love me this sacrificially and tenderly. Please accept my praise and adoration for both the gift of your Son, Jesus, and your love in sending him. Praise to you, loving Father, for your indescribable gift! In Jesus’ name I thank 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.