Christmas Story (1)

December 20

December 20, 2019 • Jo Krueger

The story about Jesus’ birth is found in the New Testament books of Matthew and Luke. For the next few days we will look at some other New Testament verses that will help us understand more about the Christmas story.

Let’s review what happened when Jesus was born. God chose Mary and Joseph to be Jesus’ earthly parents. An angel told Mary that she would give birth to God’s Son. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem. An angel appeared to some shepherds and told them that Jesus, their Savior, had been born in Bethlehem. The shepherds went right away to Bethlehem to see the baby. Later, wise men traveled from another country to worship Jesus and give Him special gifts.

All these things that happened were part of God’s plan of salvation for you and me. Paul explained about this in Galatians 4:4-5. “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, who was born from a woman and lived under the law. God did this so that he could buy the freedom of those who were under the law. God’s purpose was to make us his children.”

If you are obeying Jesus, you are one of God’s children, too. Praise Him and thank Him today for sending Jesus so you can be forgiven and live forever with Him.

Hello 2020!

December 31, 2019 • Jo Krueger

Have you enjoyed the devotions over the past few months? I hope you have been encouraged and strengthened by God’s message in the New Testament books of Romans through Revelation. But maybe now you are thinking, “So what should I do now? I have studied the entire Bible. What do I do next?” The answer is that you keep on studying the Bible. God’s Word has the answers to all of life’s questions. The more we study the Bible, the more we learn. God doesn’t want us to study through the Bible and then forget it. He wants us to read it again and again and keep learning more and more. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:17 why studying the Bible is important. “Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.” Reading and studying the Bible will prepare you to live in the world and help you do good things for God. Tomorrow a new year is starting. Make a plan to keep on studying the Bible every day of 2020. Pray and ask God to encourage you through His Word. And then share what you have learned with others!

Good-bye 2019!

December 30, 2019 • Cathy Garvin

We can look back over the past year of 2019 and remember the good things that have happened. We may also remember times of frustration, sickness, loneliness or sadness. We know what has happened during the past year. But we do not know what will happen in the future. Only God knows what will happen to us in 2020. Maybe exciting things will happen to us next year. Maybe we will face difficult times and decisions. Or maybe Jesus will return in 2020 and take us to live with Him forever. We may not know what will happen in 2020. But we can know how we should act as Christians in 2020. Paul talked about this in Colossians 2:7. “You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.” Paul’s words in Colossians are wonderful advice for us as we begin a new year — depend on Jesus, study the Bible so that you can understand it well, and never stop giving thanks to God. Stay close to God, and He will bless you and provide for you in the new year!

True Statements (4)

December 29, 2019 • Bonnie Hall

Today we will look at Paul’s final “true statement” which we can find in Titus 3:7-8. “We were made right with God by his grace. God saved us so that we could be his children and look forward to receiving life that never ends. This is a true statement. And I want you to be sure that the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.” How does Paul say that God makes us right with Him? We are made right through His grace. Why does God want to save us? Because He wants us to be His children and share eternal life with Him. When we realize how we can become right with God and why He wants to save us, we will want to use our lives for doing good things. These good things are not for ourselves. We do these good things to help other people and show them God’s love. Take time today to think about how God has saved you. Next, think about how wonderful it will be to live with Him in heaven. And finally, use your life to do good things that lead other people to know about God.