December 2022 – Daily Devo Time

Daily Devotional for December 31, 2022 – New Year’s Resolutions…put LOVE at the top of the list!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient and kind,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or rude.
Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.
Love never fails!

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

New Year’s Eve is the day when we start to reflect on what our “resolutions” for the coming year will be. Some will decide to lose weight or get healthy. Others will vow to start a new exercise regimen – and stick with it this time! Even others will vow to read a certain number of books in the coming year, save more money, spend less time on electronic devices, and focus on family and friends. Whatever your goal for the coming year, I would like to suggest that you add just one more…love one another.

Now, you may think you already love others…but let’s examine. Is our “love” always patient and kind? Aren’t we sometimes jealous, boastful, proud, or rude? Are we ever selfish or quick-tempered? Aren’t more than a few of us keeping a record of the wrongs of others?

Do we really rejoice in the truth – even when it’s not what we want to hear? Have some of us let evil creep into our lives in one way or another…if only by our lack of response when we see and hear racism, bias, and bigotry being expressed?

Are we always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting…or do we pick and choose where, when, and who gets our “endorsements” and kindness? Have we all but given up on love…at least the kind of love that Paul describes in these verses? Have we made “love” look like we want – rather than what Jesus demonstrated and commanded?

As you make your resolutions today, put love at the top of the list. Make this the year that you truly seek to love as Jesus loves…to exude love with every word and action…to be unmistakably an agent of the love of Christ Jesus to all others. (And yes, I know I am saying the word “love” a LOT!) Let’s check back this time next year and see what a difference love made! To God be the glory forever and ever! Happy New Year’s Eve! Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for December 30, 2022 – Unless I love others…

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
What if I could speak
all languages of humans
and even of angels?
If I did not love others,
I would be nothing more
than a noisy gong
or a clanging cymbal.
What if I could prophesy
and understand all mysteries
and all knowledge?
And what if I had faith
that moved mountains?
I would be nothing,
unless I loved others.
What if I gave away all
that I owned
and let myself
be burned alive?
I would gain nothing,
unless I loved others.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I’m cutting right to the chase today. A lot of people say, “I love everybody.” But too often, what they really mean is, “I love everybody in my tribe.” They love those who think, speak and act as they do. They love people who share the same skin color, ethnic background, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, age, education and economic level, and fashion sense! They love those who live in similar homes and drive comparable vehicles…those whose kids are athletic or popular and “pretty”…those who go along to get along – even when this means sharing an off-color joke or laughing at a disparaging comment.

Many claim to love others and pretend to “play nice” in the presence of those they deem to be “different” or “less than” in some way. They may even be polite to those they have decided are “sinners” in some way. A lot of “Christians” declare they “love the sinner and hate the sin.” We probably all know someone who seems to be “all that and a bag of chips”…people who “tick all the boxes” in Paul’s list of virtues and demonstrations of faith and kindness as outlined in these three verses. And we also know that many of these same “Christians” would not walk across the street to spit on certain persons or groups. Their “love” is qualified, to say the least.

What about you? How honest and real is your love – for Jesus and for others? How well are you following His greatest command? Are you “tribal” – or fully inclusive, like Jesus? I can assure you there is nothing conditional about the love of Christ. So, if we want to be like Him and serve Him wholeheartedly, we cannot place “conditions” on our love, either.

Unless we love others – all of them – Paul tells us that we are nothing. Our “faith” is empty and ineffective, and Christ is certainly not glorified. I can’t imagine that being part of a “tribe” is worth dishonoring the love of Jesus. Can you?

Daily Devotional for December 29, 2022 – It’s time to bathe in the Holy Spirit – and focus on what we have with Jesus

Titus 3:3-11
It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, easy marks for sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.

I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It’s obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

Craig O’Neill is a well-known and beloved on-air personality in Arkansas. He began his career in radio. But for many years now, he has been one of the anchors for THV11, a local CBS affiliate. Now, Craig is offering viewers a daily “visit” with him on Facebook Live, where he muses about current events and presents a “Person of the Day” to his faithful followers. This morning, O’Neill cited the University of Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach, Sam Pittman, following last night’s Liberty Bowl victory over the University of Kansas.

The Arkansas Razorbacks entered this bowl game without quite a few of their regular-season team members, thanks to departures for the pro ranks and the “transfer portal” that allows students to move to other universities and have immediate eligibility to play. The Razorbacks were even missing their Defensive Coordinator, who took a job with another university. In his post-game press conference, Pittman noted that in practices for the bowl game, they never talked about who and what they didn’t have – they focused on what they had. Pittman and his staff were smart enough to realize that fretting over lost team members and coaches would get them nowhere. This was in the past – they had to concentrate on the future.

In this passage from the Book of Titus, Paul tells us to focus on God and stop wasting time looking backward. I particularly liked the verses where he tells us to quit quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. So many people are stuck in Leviticus and have totally missed the Good News of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John! Too many are so busy trying to define who God loves – and how. They spend a good deal of time sorting, sifting and trying to create a God that looks, walks and talks like they want. And they have totally missed Jesus in the process. We are told in Titus that these sorts have cut themselves off of their own accord…and after a couple of attempts to remind them of the truth and love of Christ, we are to move ahead and minister to others.

I say this to tell you that some are heartbroken over division and exclusion. I am among them. But I also know that sometimes, I have to remind myself which battles are truly “mine” – and which I should leave for God. There is no shame in this type of “walking away.” Like Paul describes in this letter to Titus, this is sometimes akin to taking a good bath and letting the Holy Spirit wash us clean and fresh.

When our 10-year-old nephew Nathan visits, he loves to soak in our “spa tub” – and then we have a “manicure” and “pedicure” session. Nathan has a love/hate relationship with this. He loves how his hands and feet look and feel afterward – and his bath…but he absolutely despises the “mani/pedi” process. He often insists that he is “good” to just leave the nails long and ragged. And there is no need to clean out the sock lint from his toes, because he is just going to get more!

Let’s be honest…there are a lot of people walking around in this world with “sock lint” in their toes…and they do NOT want to change. Much to our nephew’s chagrin, I will not relent and leave him be…but there are times in our Spiritual life when we must move on and let God handle the fallout and the rebellion of others. Spend some time with God today and thank Him for giving you a good bath and washing you clean in the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to do this for others…and to change hearts and minds in instances where you cannot.

Ask God to give you the courage and wisdom to focus on what you have – and what lies ahead – and not to get mired in the frustration and divisiveness that others may try to perpetuate. In other words, focus on Jesus and His teachings. Be open and attentive to His call. And go forward with confidence that you have been washed clean, set upright, and blessed. Share this with others – and trust God to make your witness what He wants it to be. Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for December 28, 2022 – It’s time to “do better!”

Titus 2:11-14
God has shown us undeserved grace by coming to save all people. He taught us to give up our wicked ways and our worldly desires and to live decent and honest lives in this world. We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself to rescue us from everything evil and to make our hearts pure. He wanted us to be his own people and to be eager to do right.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

“When you know better, you do better.” – Maya Angelou

Our kids will often laugh and ask, “Do you remember when I used to say or do XYZ?” Greg and I were remembering how one of the kids used to say “lasterday” for “yesterday.” I watched our six-year-old cousin try to whistle…and just lately, our 10-year-old nephew Nathan has conquered this skill and now whistles often while he plays. Sometimes, you just don’t know what you don’t know. But when you DO know, you do better!

For Christmas, Greg put this little gizmo in my stocking that is a safety cutter. He cringes when I use scissors to open an Amazon package. So he got me something to use that does the job in a safer, more efficient manner. His gift will allow me to “do better” and stay safe! He is always thinking about my well-being, and I appreciate his love and care!

This is how it is with God. There were some things that we said and did that were truly awful in our old sinful past. But now that we know better, God is calling on us to “do better!” He has given us the ultimate Gift – salvation by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And now, God is calling on us to surrender our wicked ways and live with pure hearts. And we “know better,” because Jesus modeled this for us. He showed us how to love our neighbors as ourselves. He taught us to tend to the sick and needy. He also taught us to welcome every stranger…and Jesus never discriminated on any basis. If Jesus ever showed even the slightest disdain for anyone, it was the high and mighty priests and teachers who thought they knew it all and were leading others down the wrong path!

So, be careful who you listen to…and tune your ear to the voice of Jesus. Learn His ways – not the world’s, and make them your own. You have been blessed and redeemed by the Most High God. His precious Son died for you and demonstrated how we are to speak and act. We know better…now it is time for us to “do better!” Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for December 27, 2022 – We are family…Glory to God for this amazing Gift!

Romans 8:15-17
God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Last night, I finished reading Max Lucado’s book, Christmas Stories. Near the end of the book, Lucado talks about his first understandings of “The Christmas Story.” He notes that because Jesus came to earth in human form, He totally “gets” us. Jesus knows how we feel when we are joyful – and when we are filled with sorrow. He understands physical illness and injury…and what it means to belong to a human family.

Lucado notes in this book that God could have sent Jesus in a burst of blinding light, heralded by a Heavenly Host of trumpets and angels and making quite the “entrance.” At any point in His human existence, Jesus could have said, “Nope…not gonna do THAT! Not gonna lie in a smelly manger, be the apprentice to a carpenter, or let soldiers nail Me to a cross.” Yet Jesus endured all of this and so much more so that when we say, “LORD, here’s where I am right now,” He can say with 1000% certainty, “I understand what is happening to you…I know how you feel” – and mean it!

Once we grasp this, we begin to see that we truly are part of God’s family – and He really is our Father. We don’t have to be afraid of Him – we are His children, and He loves us beyond all we can imagine or comprehend. We haven’t literally been nailed to a cross or endured much of the suffering that Jesus experienced to redeem us from sin. But because He did this and took on human form to save us – and we are “family” – we can say we have shared in His suffering.

Think of this in terms of how you feel when someone you love – your spouse, a sibling, your own children, or someone dear to you “like family” is sick, suffering or grieving. Haven’t you had times when you almost felt as if what was happening to them was also happening to you? This is how it is in the family of God. We share in the joys and sorrows of each other…we reach out and congratulate – or sympathize. We come to the aid of those who are hungry, sick, sad, or needy in some manner. We celebrate and cheer their triumphs – and mourn their heartaches. And all of this is made possible by the birth, life, and death of Jesus.

I don’t know that people who lived before Jesus weren’t loving and caring. In fact, I am quite sure that many of them shared a deep sense of “family” with others. But everything was so complicated then. The “rules” were different…the rituals and consequences were burdensome, and serving God was something akin to slavery, as people had to carefully mind their “p’s” and “q’s” – or follow the laws of sacrifice and atonement. Communication with God was done through intermediaries, for the most part – mostly high priests and teachers. Even acts of worship required complicated preparation and rituals…and these were not equal for every person.

Jesus changed ALL of this. Because God came to us in the form of this lowly baby who experienced human things and literally took the sins of the world forever and ever on His flesh and blood body, we are free to be children of the Most High God in every sense of the word. We can talk directly to our Father – any time and place. We don’t have to be afraid – or keep atoning over and over for our sins. We have been shown how to live and love as Jesus did…and we are called to do so!

We belong to the most beautiful family ever – the Kingdom of Heaven. Praise God for this gift! Give Him thanks – and show your gratitude by living as Jesus commanded and demonstrated. Honor this gift and your place in “the family” with every word and action, now and forevermore. Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for December 26, 2022 – No matter what you have or how you celebrate – God sent Jesus for all of us

Romans 3:28-31
So it is that we are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do.

And does God save only the Jews in this way? No, the Gentiles, too, may come to him in this same manner. God treats us all the same; all, whether Jews or Gentiles, are acquitted if they have faith. Well then, if we are saved by faith, does this mean that we no longer need obey God’s laws? Just the opposite! In fact, only when we trust Jesus can we truly obey him.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The last few days, I’ve been looking at photos on Facebook of family Christmas celebrations. Like people in general, these festivities come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Some families are posed in their Sunday finest in front of what looks like a photo spread for Southern Living magazine or Better Homes and Gardens. Others resemble A Charlie Brown Christmas with tiny trees and families dressed in everything from pajamas to hunting gear. Still others are all dressed in t-shirts and shorts at the beach – or Mouse ears at Disney World. And the bottom line is that there is no right or wrong way to decorate for – and celebrate – Christmas, as long as we remember WHO we celebrate – and why. Jesus was born to save the world…and this means every person who will call on His name.

God did not send Jesus to save only a chosen few. God did not send Him only to save those who worship in a certain manner, decorate according to Pinterest, or celebrate the way their friends and neighbors do. God did not send Jesus to save only those who go into debt to lavish unnecessary abundance on their friends and loved ones during the holidays. He didn’t send Jesus to save those who decorate early and leave everything up until Epiphany or later – or those who say, “Forget the decorations completely!”

God sent Jesus for the widow who didn’t even hang a wreath, the elderly grandmother who lives in a nursing home, the college student isolated in his/her room with COVID or the flu, and the family stranded in an airport that couldn’t get to Grandma’s or Uncle Ed’s. God sent Jesus for the family who is grieving and doesn’t feel like “celebrating” this year. God sent Jesus for the immigrants at the border who have no idea where they are going to end up – or how they will survive another night. God sent Jesus for the gay son or daughter whose family has said, “You are not welcome here,” and the family of color who moved to an almost all-white community for Mom or Dad’s job. God sent Jesus for those with degrees and a litany of “credentials” and titles – and those with limited mental and physical capacity who need caregivers and specialized attention each day.

God sent Jesus for people of all ages, races, ethnic origins, economic levels, mental capacities, and personal interests. He sent Jesus for the kid posing in his Sunday best in front of the tree, the one with spiked purple hair and shredded clothes, and the one whose family can’t even afford food – much less a tree to pose beside. He sent Jesus to save those who drive the latest luxury vehicle with all the bells and whistles – and the family in an old clunker that rattles and rumbles them from Point A to Point B. I could list dozens and dozens of descriptions and scenarios for people God sent Jesus to save. But the bottom line is this…you and I do not have a corner on this market…not by a long shot.

There is not a single person on this earth who is more worthy of Salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ than another. And God sent His Only Son to save ALL OF US if we will only surrender and believe. It is past time for us to stop looking at others and judging them in any manner – and seeing what and who God sees. If you want to truly call yourself a redeemed believer in Jesus, you’ve got to show it. Spend some time today in prayer and contemplation and ask God to show you where and how to start representing His precious Son – and showing others His love and grace with every word and action. Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for December 25, 2022 – The “right time” has come to celebrate Jesus – and share Him with the world!

Galatians 4:4-7
But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons. And because we are his sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, so now we can rightly speak of God as our dear Father. Now we are no longer slaves but God’s own sons. And since we are his sons, everything he has belongs to us, for that is the way God planned.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Christmas Eve, our kiddos arrived late afternoon for our holiday get-together. We shared pizza before opening gifts, and as usual, the kids could hardly make it through a slice before declaring themselves “full” and “ready to open presents.” Their mother told them to relax…it wasn’t the right time…we were still eating and enjoying the hot pizza and a visit!

When gifts were finally opened, there were squeals – and even some tears – of joy. To say everyone was happy with what they received would be a huge understatement. Unlike previous years, when the last gift was opened, the children were not “over and done” and ready to go home. They lingered, ate more, played a game, and even re-enacted a video scene from ten years earlier. Thirteen-year-old Timothy sat back in a chair and said, “I just want to enjoy time with our family!”

Today, it is far quieter at our house…but we are basking in that quiet. It gives us time to reflect on our blessings – and the gift of Jesus. Greg and I took a walk this morning and enjoyed crisp 24-degree weather, warmed by abundantly bright sunshine. We FaceTimed with Greg’s brother and sister-in-law and wished this branch of our family a Merry Christmas and a happy day. Neighbors passed us on the street and handed us a container of Christmas goodies and a card of well wishes. Later today, more neighbors and dear friends are coming over for dessert and coffee.

Timmy was right…this is a special time with our “family” – both blood kin and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. And it is definitely the right time to be together and celebrate. After all the waiting and anticipating these last few weeks, now is the time to open gifts and make merry together. But let’s remember that because of God’s great gift of Jesus, it is always the right time to share His Good News with others. We are no longer slaves to sin…now let’s demonstrate to others how they can experience this for themselves.

Not everyone may get physical presents under the tree this year – or everything they asked for this holiday season. But we can all receive the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. And once we are redeemed by His blood and in possession of this abundance, we are to find joy and purpose in sharing with others. Make this the day that you pay particular attention to showing gratitude to God for giving us Jesus. Then get busy sharing His love and teachings with others. Now is definitely the right time! Alleluia, and Merry Christmas!

Daily Devotional for December 24, 2022 – Celebrating the greatest Gift…recognizing our worth and Jesus’ presence on Christmas Eve – and always

Isaiah 53:2-6
Like a young plant or a root
that sprouts in dry ground,
the servant grew up
obeying the Lord.
He wasn’t some handsome king.
Nothing about the way he looked
made him attractive to us.
He was hated and rejected;
his life was filled with sorrow
and terrible suffering.
No one wanted to look at him.
We despised him and said,
“He is a nobody!”
He suffered and endured
great pain for us,
but we thought his suffering
was punishment from God.
He was wounded and crushed
because of our sins;
by taking our punishment,
he made us completely well.
All of us were like sheep
that had wandered off.
We had each gone our own way,
but the Lord gave him
the punishment we deserved.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

“God is always near us…always for us…always in us.” – Max Lucado

This morning, I saw an online Christmas card with this quote from Max Lucado, and the comment, “Thinking of you this Christmas.” Romans 8:39 was referenced… “Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!”

I have been thinking lately about those who feel “ugly” or excluded in some way. I’ve been thinking of people who feel like they are “less than” somehow, from ridiculed and bullied children to teenagers with angst over a myriad of challenges – to adults who are struggling to get ahead and get along. I’ve been thinking of the people who so desperately want to feel loved and accepted – and keep getting knocked down because of everything from their age, gender, race and ethnic origin to their line of work, economic status, sexual orientation and identity, or politics. I’ve been thinking of the elderly who are often shelved and treated with neglect and far less dignity and respect than they should be afforded.

I have especially been thinking about Jesus…how just as Isaiah prophesied, He was born in the lowliest of circumstances to a poor, unwed couple. His father was a common laborer…and to many, Jesus’ birth was not “immaculate” – it was “illegitimate.” As Isaiah tells us in this passage. Jesus was born “the least” in the eyes of many – but He became the MOST for everyone who will call on His name and believe in Him. He was beaten, bruised and abused…and ultimately brutally executed. He was also the King of Kings and LORD of Lords. As Christ’s beloved, you and I are in “good company!”

There are many messages here, but the one I feel God wants me to share today is this… you may feel “less than” in some way, but you are worth everything to Jesus. Look at what He did – just to save you! You may feel that some see you as ugly, unworthy, or even “evil” in some way… but Jesus sees you as a precious child of the Most High God – worthy of forgiveness, grace, mercy and redemption. Jesus sees you as worthy to represent Him on this earth…to be His hands and feet and demonstrate the Good News to the world at large with every word and action. And He is always with you.

Jesus loves you. Jesus sees you! And so do many others. You were worth His birth, life, and death…and He wants you to know this. On this Christmas Eve, as we ponder the arrival of our Savior more than 2000 years ago, let’s not only anticipate the joy and wonder of this next few days…let’s share our amazing Gift with the world! Realize how precious you are to Jesus and stand tall and proud as His beloved. Praise Him for delivering you…and for everything He endured on your behalf. Accept His gift this Christmas…and pay it forward every day henceforth.

Jesus was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, He made us completely well. This is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Give Him thanks and praise for such a wonderful Present – and make the most of every opportunity to share Him with others, now and always. Alleluia! Merry Christmas Eve!

Daily Devotional for December 23, 2022 – Celebrating the gifts of Heaven – especially Jesus!

James 1:16-18
So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

A couple of months ago, I asked our kids what they wanted for Christmas. Their answers clearly reflected their ages and tastes. Timothy asked for jeans, some wacky shoes all the kids his age are wearing, and a LEGO set depicting the London skyline. Zola texted me photos of clothing, a cute pillow, and a diary. Ten-year-old Nathan asked for a large, animated Jurassic Park dinosaur. This toy was quite expensive, and the reviews online said it breaks easily. Nathan’s mother said, “Don’t buy it. He gets upset when things break, and it isn’t worth the risk for that price.”

Nathan is a little disappointed. He knows he isn’t getting this dinosaur. He has insisted to both me and his mother that he watched reviews of this toy online – and there was no breakage. But I did not relent – he is getting items his mother suggested that are both needed and fun. He is also getting a little cash, so if he wishes to save his money and purchase the dinosaur for himself, then he can do so – and accept the consequences if it breaks. And I am confident that his disappointment will subside in the excitement and joy of the presents he receives.

I share this to say that God knows what we need. He also knows what we will enjoy – and what we think we want. As we are told in James, God does the sifting and sorting and gives us “every desirable and beneficial gift.” God is never deceitful or unloving. When we don’t get what we asked for, He is not “being mean,” as our Nathan suggested about his Christmas wish. Additionally, God often allows us to make choices that amount to “purchasing our own gift.” He also allows us to suffer the consequences of such choices and actions if things don’t work out as we hoped!

Do not misunderstand – I am not equating myself or anyone else with God. I am merely pointing out that we love our kiddos with our whole heart, and we would move heaven and earth to give them whatever they want if we thought it was in their best interest. Multiply this by a bazillion, and you might come close to how much God loves and cares for us and desires to give us His very best. This is why He gave us Jesus!

When you count your blessings this Christmas and beyond – and you look around at the abundance and substance of your gifts – linger a little while extra on God’s blessings and care and His gift of Jesus. Don’t get thrown off course. The greatest Gift of all comes from Heaven. Jesus is with us every minute of every day, and He never wears out or breaks! Glory to God in the Highest! Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for December 22, 2022 – For God so loved the world….

John 3:16
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

It is no secret how much we love our children…all of them. I cannot even think about something happening to one of them. When one of them is sick or sad, I feel it in my heart and “bones.” When they celebrate a victory or receive an award or accolade, I am their biggest cheerleader. Greg is always thinking about the kids and finding things he thinks they might like – or wondering aloud if I think they would enjoy this outing or that event. When the children sleep over, we get up to check on them at night and do all we can to ensure that everything is just right for their visit. Even the nieces and nephews who are now grown with families of their own are still very dear to us and always have a special place in our hearts.

There is absolutely no way I could ever bring myself to even think about the possibility of sacrificing one of our children for the betterment of mankind. I cannot even “go there.” I can’t begin to consider letting one of them suffer so that countless others could live and be forgiven and blessed. Even to think that one of my children might have to do without something so that I could afford to bless another child in his/her place is hard for me. But physical, human sacrifice? Absolutely not!

Therefore, I cannot fathom how God did what He did. When I sit quietly and ponder the entire design…Christ born as a poor baby in a cattle stall, the “human” son of a carpenter Who would cultivate a ministry and then suffer inexplicably at only 33 (the age my niece will be on her next birthday) – and be brutally crucified, I am overwhelmed with awe and disbelief. I am also filled with incredible humility and gratitude.

Hear me on this…I know that I am incredibly blessed. I have a safe, warm home, a husband who loves me more than I can fathom, a family I adore, and more than plenty of all I want and need. But my greatest blessing is the love of God in His gift of Jesus. I sometimes say that I cannot fully comprehend how much – and how well – Greg loves me. But this is exponentially true when it comes to the love of Jesus. I will NEVER fully understand this level of love and sacrifice. And yet, God offers this love freely and abundantly to any who will believe in Jesus and call on Him to redeem them. For God so loved the world…Alleluia!

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