Loving Jesus Style

  Scripture: John 1:9-14 (ESV) 9  The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Devotion:             The babe lying in the manger on Christmas day came to bless us with all kinds of blessings. However, as indicated in today’s scripture reading, the world was not ready or willing to receive the gifts He came to offer. This world system has blinded our eyes and stop...

  Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10 (ESV) 5  This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness. 6  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Devotion:             Christmas is a season of lights, from brightly lit Christmas trees and decorated houses to the singing of Silent Night in a darkened church lit only by candlelight. This proclaims that Jesus came to bri...

  Scripture: John 1:14 (ESV) 14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Devotion:             Today’s scripture is a perfect ending to the Advent/Christmas season. These words explain to us what happened on that night in Bethlehem. They describe the actions of our God and yet are full of mystery and intrigue. No one, even the angel messengers, could fully comprehend what God was up to in that ordinary scene the gospels bear witness to. What, for example, does “the word made flesh” really mean?             John talks about the glory of God being made plain in this tiny baby. We know that God's glory would be made known to all later in life at the transfiguration and the resurrection. Jesus' ascension into the heavens would be a definitive sign of his majesty. ...

  Jesus Has Come Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) 6            For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given;                         and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called                         Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Devotion:             Today is the day. All the Christmas shopping, wrapping, and hiding presents is over. Our world likes to pretend this is all there is to the Christmas season. Soon, however, the kids will get tired of their new presents. They may even begin to play with the boxes that high-end toys come in! Soon, it will be t...