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.
It’s Always Special When Angels Show Up
Note from Jesus Dear Child of the King, When you open your Bible and you see the appearance of angels, know that the Father is up to something special in your world. So marvel at the message and the work of the angels in the story of My birth. At the same time, realize that those same heavenly messengers are still present in your world serving you. You see, angels are heaven’s messengers, servants sent to help you in special ways to receive the salvation I came to bring: The heavenly messengers are… spirits and servants, sent out to minister to those who will certainly inherit salvation. (Hebrews 1:14) Verses to Live Five times, angels (the Father’s heavenly messengers) had a role in the events associated with My Advent. The unfolding of My story begins with the appearance of an angel to Zacharias, who became the father of John the Baptizer. John the Baptizer was My human cousin and also the primary messenger sent to announce My coming: One day Zacharias was chosen to perform his priestly duties in God’s presence, according to the temple’s normal schedule and routine. He had been selected from all the priests by the customary procedure of casting lots for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enter the sacred precincts of the temple. There he burned sweet incense, while outside a large crowd of people prayed. Suddenly Zacharias realized he was not alone: a messenger of the Lord was there with him. The messenger stood just to the right of the altar of incense. Zacharias was shocked and afraid, but the messenger reassured him. Messenger: Zacharias, calm down! Don’t be afraid! Zacharias, your prayers have been heard. Your wife is going to have a son, and you will name him John. He will bring you great joy and happiness — and many will share your joy at John’s birth. … Zacharias: How can I be sure of what you’re telling me? I am an old man, and my wife is far past the normal age for women to bear children. This is hard to believe! Messenger (sternly): I am Gabriel, the messenger who inhabits God’s presence. I was sent here to talk with you and bring you this good news. Because you didn’t believe my message, you will not be able to talk — not another word — until you experience the fulfillment of my words. (Luke 1:8-14; Luke 1:18-20) Later, one of God’s messengers told My mother, Mary, the most amazing news: She would have God’s Son, Me, and carry Me in her womb. Six months later in Nazareth, a city in the rural province of Galilee, the heavenly messenger Gabriel made another appearance. This time the messenger was sent by God to meet with a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David himself. The messenger entered her home. Messenger: Greetings! You are favored, and the Lord is with you! Among all women on the earth, you have been blessed. The heavenly messenger’s words baffled Mary, and she wondered what type of greeting this was. Messenger: Mary, don’t be afraid. You have found favor with God. Listen, you are going to become pregnant. You will have a son, and you must name Him “Savior,” or Jesus. Jesus will become the greatest among men. He will be known as the Son of the Highest God. God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David, and He will reign over the covenant family of Jacob forever. Mary: But I have never been with a man. How can this be possible? Messenger: The Holy Spirit will come upon you. The Most High will overshadow you. That’s why this holy child will be known, as not just your son, but also as the Son of God. It sounds impossible, but listen — you know your relative Elizabeth has been unable to bear children and is now far too old to be a mother. Yet she has become pregnant, as God willed it. Yes, in three months, she will have a son. So the impossible is possible with God. Mary (deciding in her heart): Here I am, the Lord’s humble servant. As you have said, let it be done to me. (Luke 1:26-38) God’s messenger also came in a vision to tell Joseph not to abandon My mother in her pregnancy, but to walk beside her and raise Me as his own son! Joseph, because he was kind and upstanding and honorable, wanted to spare Mary shame. He did not wish to cause her more embarrassment than necessary. Now when Joseph had decided to act on his instincts, a messenger of the Lord came to him in a dream. Messenger of the Lord: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to wed Mary and bring her into your home and family as your wife. She did not sneak off and sleep with someone else — rather, she conceived the baby she now carries through the miraculous wonderworking of the Holy Spirit. She will have a son, and you will name Him Jesus, which means “the Lord saves,” because this Jesus is the person Who will save all of His people from sin. Joseph woke up from his dream and did exactly what the messenger had told him to do: he married Mary and brought her into his home as his wife. (Matthew 1:19-24) After My birth, angels announced to the shepherds where to find Me, their Savior, the One bringing glory and grace to earth. Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light — the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified! Messenger: Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in
The Wise Still Worship Me!
Note from Jesus Dear Precious Follower, David spoke the truth and We — Father, Son, and Spirit — wanted it emphasized, so you will find it included twice in the Psalms: A wicked and foolish man truly believes there is no God. (Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1) This is a sad truth. There is, however, some really good news: Many hunger to know Me, the Living and True God. Many seek Me and come to know Me just as I AM! Like most generations, you live in a world where religious hatred is found. But even in this world of hatred, an event similar to what happened at My birth is being reenacted daily. Just like the magi from the East saw the star rise in the east and came to worship Me when I was born, Muslims are finding things written in the Quran about Me. This discovery gives them a glimpse of truth, and so they begin to seek to know Me fully. Hundreds of thousands of them are searching for Me! So please remember to pray for those who see you as their enemy. Pray for them to find Me in their scriptures and to come looking for the truth about Me — the very One, Who is the Way and the Truth and the Life that leads to the Father (John 14:6 NIV). Remember, I took Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted Christians and turned him into the greatest Christian missionary to ever live. That means that I can reach the hearts of those you may think are least likely to believe in Me! Pray for their hearts to open to Me. Pray that I can share My grace with them. I long to come into their world and bring them close to the Father. Wise people hungering to know God still seek to worship Me, just as the magi from the East did so many years ago. Please be ready to help them find Me! Verses to Live Anytime you hear this precious story about My birth, let the magi remind you that people all over the world still yearn to know and worship Me! 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) The wise men left Herod’s chambers and went on their way. The star they had first seen in the East reappeared — a miracle that, of course, overjoyed and enraptured the wise men. The star led them to the house where Jesus lay; and as soon as the wise men arrived, they saw Him with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. They unpacked their satchels and gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11) Response in Prayer Almighty God, Father of all peoples, please use me to share your message with those who are seeking You — especially those in places where darkness reigns, and it is dangerous to believe in Jesus. Open my heart to see all people as You see them, recognizing that Jesus died for all to bring them into Your family with us. 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.
Move Beyond the God Talk
Note from Jesus Dear Partner in the Kingdom, People can speak in “God talk” and live in anti-God ways. Unfortunately, Christmas is a time when a lot of that happens. This method of speaking goes all the way back to My birth and early days as a toddler. Herod had his religious wise guys use the writings of the prophets that are now in your Bible to determine the location of My birth so he could try to kill Me. This account of the despicable slaughter of boy babies is a reminder that knowing the Bible and engaging in “God talk” can be dangerous if your heart doesn’t belong to the Father. There is, however, another way to use the Scriptures. You can come to Me and let your faith in Me open your eyes to the full and powerful message of God that leads to life! Move beyond the “God talk” this Christmas: come and discover Me. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NLT). Verses to Live As joyous as the story is for you, parts of My birth story are extremely sad for the Father and for some families in and around Bethlehem. Some people used the very Scriptures and words of the prophets — words intended to give them hope — to bring evil of the worst kind: murder. 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. King Herod began to hear rumors of the wise men’s quest, and he, and all of his followers in Jerusalem, were worried. So Herod called all of the leading Jewish teachers, the chief priests and head scribes, and he asked them where Hebrew tradition claimed the long-awaited Anointed One would be born. Scribes and Priests: An ancient Hebrew prophet, Micah, said this: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are no poor relation — For from your people will come a Ruler Who will be the shepherd of My people Israel”. (Matthew 2:1-6) After a few months had passed, Herod realized he’d been tricked. The wise men were not coming back [to tell him exactly where Jesus was]. Herod, of course, was furious. He simply ordered that all boys who lived in or near Bethlehem and were two years of age and younger be killed. He knew the baby King was this age because of what the wise men told him. This sad event had long been foretold by the prophet Jeremiah: A voice will be heard in Ramah, weeping and wailing and mourning out loud all day and night. The voice is Rachel’s, weeping for her children, her children who have been killed; she weeps, and she will not be comforted. (Matthew 2:16-18) When My word is ignored, when the Father’s will is abandoned, and when the Spirit’s inspired message is used for evil, death can be the result. But, when you come to Me, believe in Me, and follow Me, the result is life. Here’s what I said to some religious folks who were using Scripture to bring harm. His [God’s] word does not abide in you because you do not believe in the One sent by the Father. Here you are scouring through the Scriptures, hoping that you will find eternal life among a pile of scrolls. What you don’t seem to understand is that the Scriptures point to Me. Here I am with you, and still you reject the truth contained in the law and prophets by refusing to come to Me so that you can have life. (John 5:38-40) Don’t lose the focus of this season in a lot of religious words. Remember, the point of the season is to come to Me and find life! Response in Prayer Lord Jesus, I confess that I can sometimes get so caught up in trying to read the Bible that I forget to listen for You in the words that I read. Father God, thank You for having Your words come to life in Your Word, Jesus the Son. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for inspiring the message of God and breathing these words of life through people so we can understand the truth. But most of all, dear God, I pray that I keep Jesus as the center and use the Bible to help others find life. It is in Jesus’ name, and by His authority that 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.
So Who Will Share the Good News?
Note from Jesus Dear Friend of God, Today, I AM asking you to do something important. I know you are busy with all your Christmas plans, but there is one important gift I’d like you to give to someone. I want you to share the good news story of My birth with that person. The person could be a man or woman, adult or child, old or young, rich or poor, but no matter who that person is, all people need to be reminded that I came to earth from heaven for them. Please share that story with a couple of people who are special to you. Verses to Live An angel first told the story of God’s good news of My coming to Joseph and Mary. While it was unbelievable good news, it was also news that would change their world, and yours, forever: [I]n Nazareth, a city in the rural province of Galilee, the heavenly messenger Gabriel made another appearance. This time the messenger was sent by God to meet with a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David himself. The messenger entered her home. Messenger: Greetings! You are favored, and the Lord is with you! Among all women on the earth, you have been blessed. The heavenly messenger’s words baffled Mary, and she wondered what type of greeting this was. Messenger: Mary, don’t be afraid. You have found favor with God. Listen, you are going to become pregnant. You will have a son, and you must name Him “Savior,” or Jesus. Jesus will become the greatest among men. He will be known as the Son of the Highest God. God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David, and He will reign over the covenant family of Jacob forever. (Luke 1:26-33) Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, son of David. They hadn’t married. And yet, some time well before their wedding date, Mary learned that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, because he was kind and upstanding and honorable, wanted to spare Mary shame. He did not wish to cause her more embarrassment than necessary. Now when Joseph had decided to act on his instincts, a messenger of the Lord came to him in a dream. Messenger of the Lord: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to wed Mary and bring her into your home and family as your wife. She did not sneak off and sleep with someone else — rather, she conceived the baby she now carries through the miraculous wonderworking of the Holy Spirit. She will have a son, and you will name Him Jesus, which means “the Lord saves,” because this Jesus is the person Who will save all of His people from sin. (Matthew 1:18-21) Angels (heavenly messengers) also announced the good news to a group of shepherds out in the fields tending their flocks. It was such good news for them that they had to go to see if it was really true and then tell others about this good news they had seen! Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light — the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified! Messenger: Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough. 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 2:8-15) The Father even used a star to announce the good news of My birth to foreigners, wise men from the East, who came to worship Me because of this good news. The wise men left Herod’s chambers and went on their way. The star they had first seen in the East reappeared — a miracle that, of course, overjoyed and enraptured the wise men. The star led them to the house where Jesus lay; and as soon as the wise men arrived, they saw Him with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. They unpacked their satchels and gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11) This is the beginning of the good news of Jesus, the Anointed One, the Liberating King, the Son of God. Isaiah the prophet told us what would happen before He came: Watch, I will send My messenger in front of You to prepare Your way and make it clear and straight. You’ll hear him, a voice crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Eternal One, a straight way in the wandering desert, a highway for our God.” That messenger was John the Baptist, who appeared in the desert near the Jordan River preaching that people should be ritually cleansed through baptism with water as a sign of both their changed hearts and God’s forgiveness of their sins. (Mark 1:1-4) If angels, stars, and shepherds can find a way to sing, shine, and share the good news of My birth, won’t you? Response in Prayer O Father in heaven and the One True and Living God, open my eyes to see the people You have placed around me who need to
When Is Worship A Lie?
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, I love all people. That’s why I came. At the same time, I have to tell you something — and yes, I’m sorry to have to do this near Christmas, but it’s part of My story. Hypocrisy makes me want to throw up (Revelation 3:15-16) — when people pretend to love the Father, say they live by the Spirit, and talk as if they love Me, yet their lives are lived in a totally different way. Some of My harshest words in My earthly ministry were targeted at hypocrisy (Matthew 23:1-39). Herod even used the Scriptures for evil purposes to try to kill me. Something Herod said was nothing but a bald-faced lie: Go to Bethlehem and search high and low for this Savior child; and as soon as you know where He is, report it to me so that I may go and worship Him. (Matthew 2:8) Herod’s actions were a preview of what would happen during My ministry: the religious power brokers felt jealous and threatened, so they tried to have Me killed. In fact, they were successful. They just didn’t know that after crucifying Me the Father would raise Me and then they would be in a real mess — people who saw Me alive after My resurrection couldn’t be stopped! So please remember during this time when people celebrate My birth that there is a war going on. It’s not just a war between good and evil, but a war with an extreme form of evil: religiosity and people who want to turn religion into a system that makes them feel better than others and gives them power over others rather than a holy life lived in submission to the Father and in service to others. Remember, religious leaders were the ones who conspired with political leaders to murder Me. So don’t lose Me in something that purports to be religion. I came because God wanted lost people to be saved, the last people in line to be included, and the least people to be recognized for their kind acts of service. On the other hand, Herod was an evil, murderous, superficially religious, political weasel. He built great buildings and murdered children — some of them his own. When worship loses sight of God’s grace and My coming to save the lost, the last, and the least, then it is a lie. But when it celebrates the salvation of the lost, the inclusion of the last, and the service of the least… well, that’s a foretaste of heaven! Verses to Live These following two sets of verses stand in sharp contrast. The first one is something that I said to the outwardly religious bunch, the Scribes and Pharisees: Isaiah prophesied wisely about your religious pretensions when he wrote: These people honor Me with words off their lips; meanwhile their hearts are far from Me. Their worship is empty, void of true devotion. They teach a human commandment, memorized and practiced by rote. (Mark 7:6-7) The second one comes from My description of the final judgment and is said to those who have lived like Me: Come here, you beloved, you people whom My Father has blessed. Claim your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of creation. You shall be richly rewarded, for when I was hungry, you fed Me. And when I was thirsty, you gave Me something to drink. I was alone as a stranger, and you welcomed Me into your homes and into your lives. I was naked, and you gave Me clothes to wear; I was sick, and you tended to My needs; I was in prison, and you comforted Me. (Matthew 25:34-36) The last sounds a whole lot more like Christmas than it does like Herod! Response in Prayer I am sorry, dear God, that Jesus’ birth story has to have some of the junk and crud of our human hypocrisy and evil. But it does comfort me, dear Father, that Jesus entered this kind of mess and redeemed it and brought Your grace to give us living hope. As I worship and give thanks during this season, tune my heart to Yours as I seek to honor You for Your indescribable gift of Jesus, in Whose 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.
Finding Your Purpose
Note from Jesus Dear Follower, I know you sometimes wonder what your life’s purpose is and what My plan is for your future. I have spoken to you through the Scriptures about the big picture of your purpose. I know you would like more details, but sometimes those details are not nearly as important as the purpose I have for you in the place you are right now. Shepherds, including the ones to whom the angels appeared when I was born, had a tough life. The purpose to their life seemed very simple in the grand scheme of things as you so often think of grand things. They watched, protected, and cared for sheep. They made sure the sheep had food and water. They calmed them during the night when they were restless. They called them by name since they were individually known. Bottom line: When you look at the little details, it looks as if these shepherds were all about sheep. However, that was not the most important aspect of their purpose. That purpose was far greater: their purpose was to share the story of God’s wondrous love that sent Me into the world. Guess what? You have this same greater purpose. It doesn’t matter what the smaller details are — what your job is, who your family is, where your school is, what your problems appear to be. (And please know that I know and care about these details in your life.) The bottom line is that you have the same purpose as those shepherds from so long ago: your purpose is to share the story of God’s wondrous love that sent Me into the world! Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the words below from the good doctor, Luke, and one of my best-known apostles, Peter. You are here to share My story and bring praise to the Father for His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:3-14). Verses to Live Here’s what the shepherds discovered was their purpose (underlined for emphasis): After they saw the baby, they spread the story of what they had experienced and what had been said to them about this child. … The shepherds returned to their flocks, praising God for all they had seen and heard, and they glorified God for the way the experience had unfolded just as the heavenly messenger had predicted. (Luke 2:16-17; Luke 2:20) Here’s what Peter wants you to know is your purpose (underlined for emphasis): But you are a chosen people, set aside to be a royal order of priests, a holy nation, God’s own; so that you may proclaim the wondrous acts of the One Who called you out of inky darkness into shimmering light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received it. (1 Peter 2:9-10) Response in Prayer All glory and praise to You, O God, the Father of mercy and the God of all grace. You have bought me from sin and re-made me to be Your precious and holy servant to influence others so that they can know Your grace and be reborn by Your Spirit. Use me, each day, dear God, to be a blessing to those around me to Your glory. 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.
Fulfilling the Father’s Plan
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, In your world, independence, autonomy, self-sufficiency, and doing your own thing are of utmost importance for some people. A little independence can be good, but living your life in rebellion to the Source of life — the One Who made you and knows what is best for you to find joy and fulfillment in life — is self-destructive. Often, it’s only when you can’t figure out how to put things together that you go back and read the directions or seek the help of an expert. So I challenge you to be more interdependent and seek the counsel of spiritually wise people. Even more, I challenge you to open up the Father’s word and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you are reading. After all, I sent the Holy Spirit to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13 NIV). When I was on earth, I always lived to please the Father (John 5:30; John 6:38). My words were the words the Father wanted to be spoken, and the things I did were the very things the Father wanted to be done (John 14:10). From your point of view that may not seem like a very exciting life — living, saying, and doing only the things that please the Father — but I can tell you that it is most exciting. In fact, it is a trailblazing way to live (Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 12:2), as evidenced by what the Father called Me to do and what He accomplished through Me — it’s a life full of grace with unlimited challenges, experiences, and opportunities. So I want to challenge you to live to please the Father. This way you are not enslaved to what others think about you. You are not always trying to figure out what those around you think is cool or valuable or significant. Instead, you will discover life — “real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (John 10:10 MSG). Verses to Live My life was lived to fulfill the promises the Father had given through the prophets and to fulfill the requirements of the Torah. This fulfillment began with My birth. So every time you talk about My birth, My Advent, remember how I came to honor the Father and obey His will, and let My life on earth challenge you to do the same. My ancestry fulfilled the expectations and promises that God gave to Abraham and David to have a descendant Who would bless all nations and reign forever: This is the family history, the genealogy, of Jesus the Anointed, the coming King. You will see in this history that Jesus is descended from King David, and that He is also descended from Abraham. (Matthew 1:1) Abraham and David were linked with 14 generations, 14 generations link David to the Babylonian exile, and 14 more take us from the exile to the birth of the Anointed. (Matthew 1:17) Even from My earliest days, My mother and Joseph made sure things were done in the way that the heavenly Father wanted them done. Eight days after His birth, the baby was circumcised in keeping with Jewish religious requirements, and He was named Jesus, the name the messenger had given Him before His conception in Mary’s womb. After Mary had observed the ceremonial days of postpartum purification required by Mosaic law, she and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. They were fulfilling the Lord’s requirement that “every firstborn Israelite male will be dedicated to the Eternal One as holy.” (Luke 2:21-23) Response in Prayer Abba Father, You are majestic beyond my wildest imagination and yet personally concerned for my welfare. Help me, dear Father, to see that the way You call me to live is for my blessing so that I will discover the life that is full, rich, and meaningful. As I follow Jesus, I am convicted that I need to yield my will to Yours in order to discover how to live life abundantly. Today, as I think about Jesus’ birth, I feel called to re-commit my words, thoughts, and actions to honor You. In Jesus’ name. 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.
You Can Find My Fingerprints
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, One of the most amazing things about My story is that I created the mother who gave birth to Me. Like every person who has ever lived, I created My mother, Mary, and had a plan for her even in her mother’s womb, even though she would carry Me in her womb (Psalm 139:13-16). This connection is part of the great mystery of My birth: the Creator entered His creation to redeem it and reclaim it by being part of it. When I was born in Bethlehem and celebrated by shepherds, hated by Herod, and honored by the gifts of the magi, I was offering Myself to those whom I created. They could accept Me or reject Me — respond to My love or rebel against it. Of course, I knit you together in your mother’s womb, too! You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14 NIV). My fingerprints are not just on your world and the universe in which your world is found; My fingerprints are on you. I made you to seek after and find Me (Acts 17:27), which is what I exactly hope you will do during this season that celebrates My coming to earth, My Advent. I do not want our relationship to be Creator to creature, but family — Father to child, Brother to child of God, and Spirit that binds us together. Verses to Live Yes, I left my fingerprints on you! For You [the Lord] shaped me, inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath. I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul. You see all things; nothing about me was hidden from You As I took shape in secret, carefully crafted in the heart of the earth before I was born from its womb. You see all things; You saw me growing, changing in my mother’s womb; Every detail of my life was already written in Your book; You established the length of my life before I ever tasted the sweetness of it. (Psalm 139:13-16) And My fingerprints are on the world I created, although many of the very people I created did not — and do not — receive Me or believe in Me. Before time itself was measured, the Voice [Jesus] was speaking. The Voice was and is God. This celestial Word remained ever present with the Creator; His speech shaped the entire cosmos. Immersed in the practice of creating, all things that exist were birthed in Him. (John 1:1-3) He entered our world, a world He made; yet the world did not recognize Him. Even though He came to His own people, they refused to listen and receive Him. (John 1:10-11). From the beginning, creation in its magnificence enlightens us to His [Jesus’] nature. Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear, even though they are invisible; and it voids the excuses and ignorant claims of these people because, despite the fact that they knew the one true God, they have failed to show the love, honor, and appreciation due to the One Who created them. (Romans 1:20-21) Because you have put your trust in Me, I have given you the right, the authority, to be reborn as a child of God! But for all who did receive and trust in Him [Jesus], He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will. (John 1:12-13) So yes, honor Me as your Creator, but also know you are part of My family! Response in Prayer Almighty God, Who came to earth in such a small but eternally precious package, I thank You for the gift of Jesus Whom I recognize as my Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Lord, and Friend. Thank You for making me in the way that You did and please help me discover how to use for Your glory all that You made me to be. 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.
Hidden Treasures
Note from Jesus Dear Child of the Father, If you have had a loving, godly mother, then you have been profoundly blessed. No matter if you are rich or poor, famous or unknown, young or old, a godly mother is a treasure beyond measure. My earthly mother was Mary. Her heart was a deep well of mystery and secrets held together by a profound faith that the Lord was her Deliverer and that she was His servant. Like any earthly mom who has waited to hold her new-born child, she wondered what I would become. But for her, the secrets she treasured about Me were deeper, more profound, and more bewildering than normal. So it was Luke who tenderly talked about My mother after he gathered details of My birth. She was like every good mother, whether birth mom or adoptive mom: she saw Me, her child, as a gift and a treasure. She pondered the events surrounding My birth and early childhood as cherished moments, “treasuring each memory in her heart.” So be touched, My friend; be moved in your heart, for My mother was a great window to see Who I was in My incarnation, what I experienced, and how great the cost of My coming was. Look into her heart, examine her treasures, and realize that I can be your treasure, too. Verses to Live Yes, My birth created quite a stir. People talked about it a lot… at least for a while. My mother, on the other hand, treasured each moment, as indicated by the following two short scriptures from different times early in My incarnation, and she never forgot the mystery and grace of it all! The first scripture starts by referring to the shepherds’ story after the angels appeared to them and after they saw Me following My birth. The second scripture is when I was 12 years old, and My mother and stepfather found Me in Jerusalem talking with the Jewish religious leaders. Everyone who heard their [the shepherds’] story couldn’t stop thinking about its meaning. Mary, too, pondered all of these events, treasuring each memory in her heart. (Luke 2:18-19) Jesus: Why did you need to look for Me? Didn’t you know that I must be working for My Father? Neither Mary nor Joseph really understood what He meant by this. Jesus went back to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother continued to store these memories like treasures in her heart. (Luke 2:49-51) Response in Prayer Lord Jesus, You are my treasure. Holy Spirit, You are heaven’s gift given to me. Father God, You are the grace that has ransomed my life and given me everlasting hope, joy, and peace. All praise to God Almighty, Father, Son, and Spirit, for Your abundant grace, indwelling presence, and everlasting love. 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.