Category: Devotionals

Scripture: “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” – Psalm 37:5

Observation: This is a psalm authored by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It speaks to trusting God even when facing one’s enemies. They will be powerless when up against the almighty God of heaven. David writes about the futility of those who seek to do evil as God is always the victor. He includes a simple way for believers to allow God to take the lead in their lives.

Application: Since I have retired, my husband and I have discovered the joys of traveling, but visiting a foreign country and not knowing the language can be a bit daunting. In these situations, we usually join a tour and find the guides’ knowledge of the culture, including best eateries and attractions, a wonderful way to meander through a new locale. Not to mention, it gives us a sense of safety knowing the guide knows where we are going, the best routes to get there, and how to avoid any obstacles along the way. Plus, the likelihood of getting lost is not a concern for us! It allows us time to enjoy the sites and each other’s company even more!

Life is like that. When we take the lead, we have so much more to pay attention to that we miss so many wonderful moments. It seems like the possible problems cloud our minds as we try to figure out how to circumvent them even before they occur! I remember wondering once how I would pay for certain medical expenses. I thought about getting a second job (not the best choice for a septuagenarian!), how to juggle payments, etc., how to cut back on spending… and I couldn’t find a way. Guess what? God provided the extra finances in such a miraculous way!

Although He can handle anything, our Lord is a true gentleman and will not impose Himself upon us. He waits for our invitation to take charge of our lives. When I think about God and realize that He has every resource at His beck and call, and that He wants to bless us beyond our wildest dreams, I wonder why I struggle with trying to be in control of everything. I struggle because it’s hard to surrender control, but Scripture provides the answers in how to give control back to God.

In addition to today’s verse, here are three additional ways the Bible provides to enable us to let God take the lead.

• Trust in Him
  • “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (37:3)
• Delight in Him
  • “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (37:4)
• Rest in Him
  • “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (37:7)

God is always faithful to His Word. If He said it, He will do it. When we allow God to lead, we acknowledge three important things.

1. He knows the way.
   1. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6
2. He knows the obstacles to avoid.
   1. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. He knows how to help us enjoy the life He’s give us.
   1. “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10

God is the best tour guide we can have as we travel through life. Why not let Him lead you today?

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Shepherd. Thank You for helping me through life… leading me to green pastures, still waters, and the paths of righteousness! Thank You for Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me, and when I go astray, You always come for me, bringing me back into Your fold. I am so grateful for Your love! Help me to please You in all I say and do each day, and help me point others to You! In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(from “Living for Jesus” by Thomas O. Chisholm)

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“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” – Psalm 37:23

Scripture:  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

Observation: Jesus is preaching to a multitude, describing the truth that God takes care of every need of His creation. From the feeding of the birds to the growing of grass to the care of His children, it is all in the hand of the Lord. Therefore, He teaches that we should seek a relationship with God before anything else, thereby developing a deep and abiding trust in Him for all things.

Application: Learning to let God lead revolves around trusting Him in everything, and to do that, it is necessary to let go of the “need” to be in control. Taking control to meet every need or desire in one’s life fosters a false sense of security, believing that inner peace will come from one’s own actions. For example, when one has enough money to pay bills plus a little more stashed away “just in case”, or when the career path you’ve chosen has all of its “p’s and q’s” in order and is proceeding according to your plan, or when taking your own advice seems to promote reaching specific goals, one is attempting to achieve something only God can provide, and that is peace in the soul. Are these things wrong to do? Absolutely not… unless it takes away your trust in God and places it in your own hands!

Trusting God cultivates a sweet peace in your heart and soul regardless of circumstances. When things don’t work out as you had hoped and obstacles block the way, true peace doesn’t disappear if your trust is placed in the One who controls all things. Having said that, it is important to remember that in our humanity worries and anxieties often poke their heads into our psyche and mess with our mental and emotional well-being. Perfectly normal! How can I say that if I’m a Christian? Shouldn’t I be totally at ease with whatever happens? That would be great if it were true, but it’s not. However, as a Christian, I know where to go to remind myself that God is with me, and He can handle anything that life throws at me. That brings comfort and peace to my mind, heart, and soul.

His Word is my anchor to His peace that truly passes my human understanding (Philippians 4:7). In fact, God often allows unexpected things to happen in my life for reasons known only to Him. It is His Word that reminds me that everything He does is good. Psalm 34:8 states, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Romans 8:28 states, “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.” I may not see it at the time, but I know His Word is true, and I can trust Him for the outcome of any untoward situation in my life.

Lastly, learning to let God lead is not easy, but when I trust Him to be in control, I can also trust the outcome to be the very best for me. His Word tells me that there is nothing that God cannot handle! He promises to meet my every need and then some! Philippians 4:19 states, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”, and Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” My life’s story may have its ups and down, but I know that whatever happens along the way, my story is guaranteed a happy ending and that gives me great peace!

Prayer: Dearest heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. To have it in my hands is such a rich blessing. It holds all the answers to my questions, and as I read it, I am grateful that Your Spirit opens my mind to understanding. Help my faith to increase, and also my trust in You. May this coming year find me more and more able to “let go and let God” in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy, Who thru’ life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus fashions all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for ev’ry trial, feeds me with the living Bread.
Tho’ my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me, lo! A spring of joy I see.

(from “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” by Fanny Crosby)

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“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5

Scripture: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Observation: This chapter of Jeremiah details the information the prophet sent to those in captivity. He explains that the Lord has instructed the captives to establish their homes and families while in Babylon as their time there will be 70 years. He goes on to reassure them that God has a plan for their lives, and He will bring it to pass in His time.

Application: Once I get into a book, I’m one of those readers who often flips to the last chapter to read how the story ends. I don’t like not knowing what’s going to happen! I want to be assured that the tale has a happy ending, or more correctly, I want to know it ends the way I want it to end. Sometimes people feel the same way about life.

Without knowing how certain situations will culminate often causes increased worry and anxiety in many people. While some can “go with the flow”, others feel an intense need to manipulate circumstances to influence the desired results. Trusting God for the outcomes never enters into the equation for those who take matters into their own hands. They feel a need to be in control of life, to manage its ups and downs and maneuver all factors to generate the coveted resolution. Trusting in ourselves for matters that belong in God’s hands is never wise.

The Bible has many examples of individuals who trusted God even when they could not read the last page of their story. For example, when God told Abraham (Abram) to leave his home for a new land, He didn’t lay out the plan He had for Abraham, He simply told him to pack up and move. Genesis 12:4 records Abraham’s response, “So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him…”

Another example is Mary, the mother of Jesus. When she received the incredible message from the angel Gabriel that she would be the mother of God’s Son, she didn’t conceive a plan to convince Joseph, her family, or friends of what she had been told to protect her reputation, instead, she trusted God. Luke 1:38 tells Mary’s response, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”

When we place our complete trust in God, we don’t need to see the “big picture”. We simply choose to live day-by-day, sometimes step-by-step, with the faith that the Lord will lead us, protect us, deliver us, etc., and accomplish His perfect will for our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 speaks of God when it states, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” Trusting God for all things takes time to become part of our normal response to any situation. To grow trust, we must increase our faith. To grow faith, we must apply ourselves to prayer, Bible study, and quiet time with God as He speaks to us through His Word. As we make time in 2026 to spend time with One who loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and sacrificed Himself to have a forever relationship with us (Galatians 2:20), our trust in Him will also grow. Wouldn’t you agree that spending more quality time with God would be a great resolution for the new year?

Prayer: Dearest Father in heaven, God of all wisdom, Living Word, how great is Your faithfulness! Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being my Shepherd, leading me daily to those green pastures and still waters, and to the paths of righteousness. Thank You for so gently correcting me when I make wrong choices and restoring my soul! I am so blessed to be Your child! Help me to trust You more each day; grow my faith through Your Word. I praise You for Your goodness to me, but even more for just who You are! In Jesus’ precious and most holy name, I pray. Amen.

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

(from “Trusting Jesus” by Edgar Page)

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“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

The old adage of “let go and let God” is a difficult concept for many people to put into action. The obstacles to this often originate from a struggle to trust God more than ourselves (which we all experience at one time or another). The need to be the one  in control can be a subconscious attempt to lessen fears and anxieties. It could be a problem with pride, where one feels great satisfaction from being in control and manipulating situations or individuals for a specific outcome. There are many other possibilities for wanting to be the one in control, but for Christians, control issues often stem from a reliance upon oneself rather than upon God. Bearing this in mind, January’s devotions will focus on developing more trust in God’s abilities to lead us in our lives and relinquishing our control to the One who controls all.

Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Observation: The majority of the proverbs were written by the wisest king to his son. Here, Solomon is advising his son to place his faith and trust in God, who will provide direction throughout one’s life.

Application: Trust is defined as the unshakeable faith and reliability on someone or something. Therefore, trusting God would be placing our complete faith in Him for everything in our lives. So easily said; so hard to do! Our first verse for the new year is a very familiar verse to many. We’ve read it numerous times, even nodding our heads in agreement, but do we really practice it? I know I struggle with the “… with all thine heart…” and “In all thy ways…” parts. Somehow, it is easier to trust God for the big things in our lives than the little day-to-day things. Here are a few things in which it is easy to trust God.

• We trust God for our salvation.
  • “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2
• We trust God is with us.
  • “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9
• We trust that Jesus is the Son of God.
  • “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9
• We trust that His Spirit dwells within us.
  • “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” – 1 Corinthians 6:19
• We trust that Jesus will come and take us to be with Him forever.
  • “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

These concepts are HUGE foundations of our faith. It seems there are very few if any issues in trusting God for these things, but the little things are the struggles for so many of us. Surrendering all of our trust to God is not a simple New Year’s resolution. It is a lifelong process that involves prayer, Bible study, and listening to His Spirit every day. Let’s purpose this year to strive to trust God more in ALL areas of our lives.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am so sorry for being such a “control freak”. Please forgive me. I know I cannot trust You completely overnight, but I am committed to learning to trust You more and more… less of me and more of You! Teach me to rely on You and trust You in every area of my life. I know I am a work in progress, and You will be faithful to complete it! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

(from “Be Still My Soul” by Kathrina von Schlegel)

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“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” – 2 Corinthians 2:9

Scripture: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

Observation: This entire chapter of Psalms praises the Lord for who He is and what He has done. From His enduring mercy to His salvation to His goodness to us!

Application: Looking back over the year, I can see so many ways that God has worked in my life and the lives of those whom I hold dear. From the small things to the big, God has been in every one!

Here are a few truths about God in the Scriptures in which you can rejoice daily!

• God has plans for each one of us, and He will bring those plans to fruition.
  • “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11
• God is always thinking about us.
  • “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” – Psalm 139:17
• God is always with us.
  • “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9
• God directs us in the way He desires for us to go.
  • “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” – Proverbs 3:6
• God will always help us when we call on Him.
  • “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
• God comforts us in our times of need.
  • “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;” – 2 Corinthians 1:3

These are just a few of the wonderful ways God has been involved in my life this past year. There are so many more ways that the Creator of the universe, the Author of my Salvation, and the Sustainer of my life has been a part of my life since before I was even born! Jeremiah 1:5 records God’s words to the prophet, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;”. He knew me and had a plan for me that He has been working faithfully in me since I accepted Christ as my Saviour.

With God in my heart and by my side 24/7, I am assured of an amazing new year! If you know Christ as your Saviour, you have that very same assurance! If you aren’t saved, why not ask Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Lord and Saviour right now? This way, you can have a wonderfully blessed 2026 as well!

Prayer: O Heavenly Father, when I look back on this past year, I am so grateful for Your presence in my life every moment of every day! There has been no place I have gone, that You have not been with me. There has been no problem or struggle in which You have not helped me. There has been no sorrow that You have not given me Your comfort. I am so blessed! I praise Your faithfulness, O God, and I rest in the knowledge that You will do the same for me in this next year. Thank You for the assurance of Your love, Your presence, Your strength… You are my hope for tomorrow! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me;
By his own hand he leadeth me:
His faithful follower I would be,
For by his hand he leadeth me.

(from “He Leadeth Me” by Joseph H. Gilmore)

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“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4

Scripture: “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” – Acts 5:31

Observation: In the first chapters of Acts, Peter and John are beginning their ministry in Jerusalem. After being ordered to cease their preaching, they continued more boldly and ended up in prison. When God’s angel miraculously freed them, they immediately resumed preaching in the temple. Peter’s determination to proclaim Jesus to the Jewish leaders in attendance regardless of the repercussions is the message in today’s verse.

Application: Peter resolved to preach Jesus regardless of the consequences. He had a godly single-mindedness to do the will of God, trusting in the Lord to take care of him in the process. Acts 4:13 states, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Both Peter and John were common fishermen, but Jesus changed their lives forever! The apostles had repeatedly been commanded to stop, but they refused, and this led to beatings and imprisonments on various occasions. They had resolved to follow Christ, and nothing was going to stop them.

New Year’s resolutions are promises we often make to ourselves, and they rarely make it into the next month. Breaking a resolution is done without much thought at all. Common excuses demonstrate the low level of commitment. “It’s too hard to stick to a diet.” “It’s too inconvenient to make it to the gym faithfully.” “It’s too hard to find time to do…” whatever we’ve resolved to do. Not so with Peter and John.

These two apostles made resolutions to do God’s work, and they kept them. The cost to follow their resolutions cost them dearly, but their commitment was 100% and then some. There was no turning back for any of the apostles. When they made their resolutions to accept Jesus’ charge in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”, they were all in!

When we make our resolutions this January 1st, what can we resolve to do for God this year? Here are a few suggestions:

• Resolve to read the Bible regularly
• Resolve to pray daily
• Resolve to go to church and fellowship with other believers
• Resolve to share Jesus with others
• Resolve to make one change in your life that will help you grow in your faith and draw nearer to Jesus

Like Peter, our resolutions require sacrifice, but unlike him, our sacrifices do not involve physical beatings, jail time or execution. Our sacrifice simply requires spending quality time with God. Let us all resolve to be all in for Jesus in 2026 and make it our best year ever!

Prayer: Dearest Father in heaven, please draw me closer to You in 2026. Help me make time for You each day by sharing my heart with You through prayer and listening to You speak to me through Your Word. Please increase my faith and trust in You as I do these things. Forgive me when I put myself above You. May I grow to love You more and more. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith, and be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side.

Oh, the pure delight of a single hour that before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God, I commune as friend with friend!

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side.

(from “Draw Me Nearer” by Fanny Crosby)

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 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” – Acts 5:42

Scripture: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” – 1 John 5:11

Observation: John is explaining the relationship believers have with God and how that relationship impacts our lives, both now and eternally.

Application: Mary Poppins described certain promises as being “pie crust promises.” They were easily made and easily broken. When you’re on the receiving end of one of those broken promises, it can be devastating! It is so comforting to know that when God makes a promise, He keeps it! There are no promises in the Bible in which God has broken; He makes no pie crust promises!

In Genesis, God promised us a Saviour, when He spoke to the enemy, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (3:15). He kept that promise.

In Genesis 9, God promised this to Noah, “And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.” (9:11). He kept that promise.

In Exodus, God promised to deliver His people from Egyptian slavery, “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey;” (3:8). He kept that promise.

In Deuteronomy, God promised a land to His people, “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.” (31:7). He kept that promise.

With the knowledge that God has always kept His Word, we have the assurance that He will keep every other promise that is yet to be fulfilled. Here are a few promises whose fulfillment we can anticipate.

God has promised us eternity with Him when we place our faith and trust in Jesus. “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.” (John 3:16) He WILL keep this promise.

Jesus has promised to forgive us of our sins, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) He WILL keep this promise.

Jesus promised He would come again for those who have placed their faith and trust in Him. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3) He WILL keep this promise.

These promises… resolutions, if you will… that God has recorded in His Word will be kept. There is no doubt to that, however, the timing for their fulfillment is for God to determine. Psalm 27:14 reminds us, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

2026 could be the year that all of God’s promises are fulfilled for our lives! Let’s be ready!

Prayer: O Father in heaven, what an amazing God You are! Thank You that You are faithful to Your Word, and Your promises are sure! What a comfort to my heart and soul to know that I can stand upon Your Word, knowing there is no error in it! My hope is found in Your Word. Thank You so much that I live in a place where I can have a Bible in my hand and can worship You freely, go to church and hear Your Word preached without fear of persecution. What a sweet, holy, merciful God You are! Thank You for my life in You! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Standing on the promises of Christ, my King!
Through eternal ages let His praises ring.
"Glory in the highest!" I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail!
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God. 

(from “Standing on the Promises” by Russell Kelso Carter)

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 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” – Acts 2:38-39

Scripture: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – James 1:17

Observation: James is explaining that true faith will yield good works, not the other way around. Our salvation is not dependent upon what we do, but is solely dependent upon God. It is a gift from the Lord, and once we accept that gift, we will desire to do works that will please God and share His love and message with others.

Application: One wonderful truth about God is that He is the same “yesterday, today and forever” as it is written in Hebrews 13:8. If we read something about God in the Bible, we can know without doubt that it is true. In our verse today, James reminds us of that. Additionally, he makes the statement that every good and perfect gift is given to us from our Father in heaven.

As we head into the new year, we will undoubtedly face challenges and struggles, but God will see us through each one. When our faith begins to weaken, He will strengthen us; when we are no longer sure of which path to walk, He will lead us; when we are brokenhearted, He will heal us. God is faithful to His children, and Paul reminds us in 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.”  

Sometimes it is very hard to see any good coming from the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the betrayal of a trusted friend, etc., but God sees the bigger picture, and He knows the eventual outcome. Since we know that all of God’s promises are true, we can know… even when we don’t feel it or see how… that God will ultimately make all things good.

James reminds us that there is “no variableness” with God. He doesn’t change His character mid-stream. Who He was when He created the world is the same that He is today and will be tomorrow! God says this about Himself in Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not;”

Sorrow and hopelessness darken our perspective, but James also reminds us that God is the Father of lights. It is His faithfulness and love that will brighten our hearts and souls as we go through this life on earth. We can have hope and peace knowing God continues to be in control, and His will for us is always the best. As the new year approaches, we can have confidence that no matter what lies ahead, God is with us and will see us through every challenge or struggle. Our hope is secure in the promises of God and the knowledge that “…with God all things are possible.” (Mark 1-:27).

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for Your Word and its truths. I know that no matter what happens in my life or in this world, Your Word remains true, and I can depend on it always. As this new year approaches, I can rest in the truth that You have me securely in Your hand, and nothing will happen to me that You are not aware of. I trust that You will always make all things work out in my life to be in accordance with Your perfect will for me. That gives me such comfort, and I thank You for that. Help me to trust You more each day. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

God picked up a sparrow that could no longer fly
He brushed off his wounds and then watched it soar into the sky
If He's mindful of creation on this I can depend
I am His child and I can place all my trust in Him

I can trust Jesus, I can trust Jesus
He never once has failed to meet my needs
He is my strong tow'r, the strength in my weakest hour
I can trust Jesus, He takes care of me

(from “I Can Trust Jesus” by Gerald Douglas Crabb)

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“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” – Psalm 37:5

Scripture: “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:7

Observation: Paul wrote this book to Titus, one of his disciples. In it, he is explaining how the practice of our faith is a reflection of what we truly believe.

Application: Christmastime is sometimes referred to as “the season of giving”. Many people exchange gifts as a token of their affection for one another. People also tend to give more to charities during this time of year as well. When we think about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, our thoughts often go to the wise men who came to the young child with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They gave the best they could give as an act of worship. However, the best example we have of gift-giving is God Himself. From the depths of His heart to a lost and dying world, He gave the most precious gift of all… His beloved Son, Jesus. But like any gift, it only becomes yours when you accept it.

When there is a personal relationship between an individual and Jesus, there are so many gifts that come from the Lord. Here are just a few of the gifts that the heavenly Father gives to those who accept His Son as their Lord and Saviour.

1. Forgiveness – All of our sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven & forgotten!

• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

2. Holy Spirit – The Spirit of God dwells within every believer 24/7 and will be with us forever!

• “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 2:38

3. Peace – In a world of chaos, God’s peace is within every believer.

• “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” – Romans 5:1

4. Adoption – Becoming a part of God’s family and a joint-heir with Jesus happens when a person accepts Christ as Lord and Saviour.

• “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” – Romans 8:15-16

5. Eternal Life – Everlasting life in heaven is promised and begins immediately upon salvation!

• “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through   Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

Jesus is the Father’s Christmas gift that keeps on giving! That is certainly a reason to rejoice!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Christmas gift so many years ago! Thank You for all You’ve given me! I am so grateful and humbled that You would choose to come into my life and save me. Thank You that I am a joint-heir with You, and one day, I will see You face to face, when my faith becomes sight! I believe in my heart that it will not be long until You come and call Your children home! Thank You for Your peace that reigns in my heart and the hope I have in my soul! In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Peace, peace! wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away while the years of eternity roll.

Peace, peace! wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

(from “Wonderful Peace” by W.D. Cornell)

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“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” – Titus 3:5-6

Scripture: “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:21

Observation: This chapter of Romans explains the reason for Jesus coming to mankind. It details the sinful state in which we exist and the hope that we gain through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Application: As the Christmas season moves toward its conclusion, it is important to remember that the birth of Jesus is just the beginning of the story of God’s amazing grace. This first chapter of this divine story details the circumstances surrounding the virgin birth and the glorious revelation by the angels of the coming of humanity’s Saviour.

The second part of this story provides many incredible highlights of the life and ministry of Jesus. In the Scriptures, we read of how He lived without sin, how He revealed Himself through His miracles and teachings, how He loved everyone unconditionally regardless of social status, religious affiliations, personal wealth, intellect or power. He was the personification of God… the Word made flesh as it states in 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.”

The third part of the story focuses on the death, burial, and glorious resurrection of Jesus! This is the gospel, and it is wherein our hope lies! Paul summarizes this in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Jesus was born to die as Matthew 20:28 states, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The destiny of God’s precious Son took Him from the manger to the cross to the empty tomb and provided the gift of salvation to anyone who chooses to believe and accept Jesus as their personal Saviour! He made a way for you and me to be saved from our sins… to be “born again” into His family! Accepting Christ as one’s Saviour is the only way to be forgiven and reconciled to God.

As you reflect on Christmas, remember it’s not just history, but it is the first chapter of HIS story, and the rest is yet to come! By the way, I’ve read the last chapter, and the ending is absolutely amazing!

Prayer: O Father in heaven, Almighty God, Creator of the universe and all that is therein, Sustainer of all life, I praise Your name! Your mercy truly endures forever, and Your love is everlasting! I love Your Word and its promises! You are my hope, and I rejoice in God, my Saviour! Thank You for Christmas and what it means to me, my family, and so many others! You came to redeem Your people and save us all from our sins! Such love is unfathomable! Thank You so very much for Your goodness to me, Your mercy to me, and Your gift of salvation through Your precious Son. I know I am so unworthy… simply a sinner saved by Your amazing grace, and for that, I am eternally thankful, now and forever. In Jesus’ most holy precious name, I pray. Amen.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun.

(from “Amazing Grace” by John Newton)

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“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” – Romans 5:10