Devotions

A brand new year is here! What will you do with it? Please, do not fall by the wayside. 2023 should not find you casting off your relationship with Christ.  A college student went to a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend. He wanted the picture duplicated. To do this the studio owner had to remove it from the frame. In doing this, he noticed the inscription on the back of the photograph.  It was written by…

Maybe Christmas accentuated the pain of a death or a divorce. John 1:5 says Jesus is the light that shines in darkness. If you will open the door of your heart and embrace Him, your holiday will be a “holy day,” and Christmas will never be the same. Think with me from the story in Luke 2 of Anna. Do you remember older Anna? She immediately went out and spoke of Him to everyone who looked for redemption. She shared…

Think back for a moment to old Simeon holding the blessed baby in his arms. What joy must have overcome him! It was the greatest moment of his life!  For context, read today’s verse: we can’t hold Jesus in our arms, but we can hold Him in our hearts. What a wonderful time of year to throw open the door of your heart and embrace Jesus! Let me give you three benefits of doing so:  #1: Jesus is with us…

Simeon was an ordinary Joe with an extraordinary attitude. Unlike the other people of his culture, he was not mesmerized by the hustle and bustle of daily life. He was expecting something better from the Lord.  Attitude is everything. If our attitude this season is expecting only the crowds, the traffic, the hustles and the hassles, that’s likely all we are going to get. If we expect something better, if we expect to see “holy days,” times of joy and…

As Simeon “blessed God,” Joseph and Mary marveled. Then, he blessed them. It was common in Jewish culture and in the early church to bless people.  Old Simeon prophesied, “This Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. Many would stumble over Him, but many would be lifted up. He would be a sign which shall be spoken against.” He said to Mary, “A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.” I wonder, how…

I imagine that old man walking the streets of Jerusalem, looking intently into the faces of strangers, asking the Lord, “Will I see Him today? Could this be the one?” Everyone knew the prophecy, but there had been no word from God in so long. People stopped hoping. They were consumed with the drudgery of their lives… not Simeon! One day “the Spirit” guided Simeon to the temple at the same time Mary and Joseph had come to offer their…

Of all the characters in the Christmas story, Simeon represents us.  Simeon is described as just. The Greek word means “equitable, fair, and right.” Simeon was a good and decent man just trying to get by. One scholar described the meaning of this word as, “He behaved well toward people.”  Simeon is also described as devout. He was very serious about his relationship with God. He was a godly man. The word also has the meaning of “cautious or careful.”…

There is a lot of hype about the holidays. We buy presents; we attend countless parties and holiday events. We travel to see relatives. We stress ourselves out building up for that one climactic day each year, and then it is over. If we were honest, we would admit that most of the time Christmas never lives up to our expectations. For many, the season will leave us disappointed.   This week, I read about a young mother who was having…

There is coming a day, when all of God’s people from all of the ages will gather together for eternity! Ephesians 1:7-12 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness…

An angel from the Lord instructed Joseph and Mary to name their son “JESUS” (which means “Jehovah Saves”), saying, “For he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)  At His birth, the angels declared Jesus to be the Saviour. “For unto you is born this day in the City of David a SAVIOUR, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)   My friend, let me assure you that Jesus, the Great Shiloh, can save YOU! He will deliver you…

Just as Shiloh refers to Jesus as a messenger, I also find that Shiloh means a peacemaker. In one of his prophecies, Isaiah declared that the Messiah would be “the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) It’s no wonder then that when Jesus was born, the angels sang, Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth PEACE, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)  Jesus is the peacemaker between man and God. Just notice today’s verse to illustrate this truth. Oh,…

It is Christmas week! Are you ready? Let’s look this week at this word, “Shiloh.” From today’s verse, we learn that it is one of the earliest prophecies concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, to this Earth. It was spoken by Jacob while on his deathbed, some 1,700 years before Jesus was born or literally, 3,700 years ago… WOW!  This one statement uttered by the man called “Israel” is so graphic and clear that it has convinced many…