Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” It had never happened before, it has never happened since, nor will it ever happen again. Isaiah prophesized what would happen long before it did. The sign was Mary, a virgin, having a child. Matthew 1:22-23 “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” God chose to take on a robe of humanity in order to dwell with us. Colossians 2:9 “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” He dwelt among us so that we could walk with Him. John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Though He is no longer bodily on the earth, He has left us a Comforter to dwell in us and teach us His Word. John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” His Word is with us today so that we may know Him more. This Christmas season, seek Him through His Word like you never have before. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 41-43 | Psalm 120-121
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Psalm 119:1
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Scriptures. It is found almost right in the middle of our Bibles. The common theme is woven throughout almost every verse, using 13 different words to describe or refer to the Word of God. The Law of the Lord is the Word of God. In the New Testament, we find out Who is the Word of God. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Word. The Word was born into this world as that Baby lying in a manger. The Word was named Jesus, meaning Jehovah is Salvation, to tell of His purpose. Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The Word walked amongst His creation so that He could redeem those who believed in Him. The longest chapter in the Bible is all about Him. He is the Lamp unto our feet. He is the Light unto our path. We are promised to be blessed when we walk with Him. Psalm 119:2 “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” Are you walking with the Word today? Bible Reading: Psalm 119 1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” All throughout the Bible, we see the victories won through the power of God. David over Goliath. Jericho. The Red Sea. The Feeding of the 5,000. The Prodigal Son. Lazarus. The Garden Tomb. Miracle after miracle is preserved for us to read in order that we might have faith that the same God can do the impossible within our lives. He never changes. What He did then, He can still do today. 2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” Whatever battle you are facing…He is the Answer. Victory is found by knowing Him. 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” That Gift which God has freely given to us is His Son, Jesus Christ, through Whom we have eternal life. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Every victory we have, is because of Him. Thank Him today, and every day. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 39-40 | Psalm 117-118 2 Corinthians 1:11
“Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” Sometimes the distresses of life can press us in such a way that we are unable to give thanks unto the Lord ourselves. Paul and Timothy experienced this. 2 Corinthians 1:8 “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:” They were in despair and without strength because of their trouble; but God used it to remind them of Who they could trust. 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;” When other fail us, we must remember to trust in the only One Who never will. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” They were thankful for those who gave thanks when they could not. “…thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” If we can relate with their need in the time of trouble, may it cause us to also give thanks on the behalf of others. Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Give thanks today for those who have given thanks on your behalf. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 37-38 | Psalm 115-116 Psalm 71:14
“But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.” Hope is found within the foundation of our faith. The more thankful we are, the more hope we will have in Him. Psalm 39:7 “And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” The Hope of Thanksgiving in the life of a believer is impossible to keep to ourselves. Psalm 71:15 “My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.” How can those who truly possess the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ not share that Gift with others? What a comfort to know that when we share the Gift of Hope, He enables us to so! Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” The devil will try anything he can to keep us from sharing Hope with others. Whatever trial or storm you are facing today, remind yourself that although the Lord allowed it, any discomfort ultimately comes from the enemy. Ephesians 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” We can stand thankful because of what the Lord has done for us. He protects us even from those things we cannot see, while strengthening us for another day. Psalm 71:18 “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” Praise Him today for the Hope that is found in Him, and then ask Him to help you share that Gift with someone who needs Him. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 35-36 | Psalm 113-114 Psalm 34:1
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Even when distress brings us to our knees, we can choose to allow our discomfort to cause us to bless and praise the Lord. If our trials cause us to seek to know Him more, should we not be thankful for them? David promised to bless the Lord at all times…constantly…while also vocalizing his praise continually. Psalm 71:8 “Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.” No matter what or who tried to stand in his way, he trusted the Lord. When we realize that anything that touches our lives has been filtered by Him, we can choose to be thankful in the middle of our storm. He allows every thing, even our trials, to bring praise unto Him. 1 Peter 1:7-8 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” When a thankful heart becomes our priority, it will change us. It strengthens our faith. It helps us show mercy to others. It changes our perspective. It allows us to praise the Lord regardless of our circumstances. The blessing of thanksgiving in the life of a believer is the opportunity to bless and praise Him. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 33-34 | Psalm 111-112 Philippians 4:6
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” When trouble and anxiety take hold of us, we have traded our faith for worry and confusion. Martha experienced this when she chose to be cumbered about with so many things that she questioned whether Jesus cared about her. Luke 10:40-41 “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” The Scripture tells us to be careful about one thing…nothing. “Be careful for nothing” Instead, the Lord desires that we trade our carefulness for placing our faith in Him. Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” When we take every thing to Him by prayer and supplication, our hearts can focus on being thankful for all He has done as we make our requests known unto Him. The trade for thankfulness then brings peace. Just as He calmed the raging winds and waves, He can speak peace to our troubled hearts. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” When we thank Him in every thing He gives the peace which passeth all understanding that only comes from Him. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” The devil will try to control our thinking by distracting us with fret and worry. If we allow him to sway our minds and peace, he will eventually steal our faith and joy. Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” We can choose to be thankful in every situation, regardless of what comes our way, simply because we know that God is working every thing together for our good and His glory. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Decide today to be careful for nothing, and instead… Take every thing to God in prayer trading your trouble for thankfulness as you make your requests. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 31-32 | Psalm 109-110 Psalm 92:1-5
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.” The Lord is Good, and His Word tells us that it is a good thing to thank Him and praise His Name. Psalm 92 even tells us how to thank and praise Him. “To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning” We can show His lovingkindness to others by being rooted and grounded in His love. Ephesians 3:17-19 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” “and thy faithfulness every night” Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” May we be faithful to thank Him for how faithful He has been to us. How have you thanked Him today? He has placed a song in our hearts that we may sing it back to Him. Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Bible Reading: Ezekiel 29-30 | Psalm 108 Psalm 107:1
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” This psalm begins with a single letter word that is found all throughout the Bible. “O” Have you ever considered why this word is used so often? It is found most often within the Book of Psalms, and mostly used to convey a groaning of the heart. This word connects the Truths that follow it with an intense feeling of heartfelt importance. Far too often we lose our heart of thanksgiving. Perhaps because the intense feeling of importance has somehow been neglected as we read over familiar verses of Scripture that we have heard over and over again. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good” Six times within the pages of Scripture we find this exact phrase. If the Lord says it once it is true and important; but when He repeats Himself over and over, we had better take notice. “for he is good” May we never forget to give thanks, but may we also never forget the simple reason that He is Good. How good has He been to you? Why not thank Him today specifically for His goodness? Psalm 107:8 “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” This verse is repeated four times within Psalm 107. May we praise Him today, and every day, for His goodness and His wonderful works towards us! Bible Reading: Ezekiel 27-28 | Psalm 107 2 Corinthians 9:15
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” Have you ever received a gift that made you speechless when you opened it? Maybe you hoped it was a prank or maybe it was just what you had wanted. With the Christmas season around the corner, perhaps you’ve made a list of the things you hope to receive or give this year. Who is on your list? Beside the names of those you love most are likely some material things you plan to give them. But has each of person on your list received the Unspeakable Gift? Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The Unspeakable Gift of God is Jesus, His only begotten Son. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It is only through Him that we can have what truly matters. 2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” Those on your list that do not know Him need to hear of their need for Him. Give them the Gift of the Gospel of Jesus Christ this season. Then you can both be thankful for the Unspeakable Gift of God. Thank Him for His Gift, today and every day. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 25-26 | Psalm 104-106 |
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