Inspirational Christian Daily Devotions @goldenverses - Tumblr Blog

Great Joy

Luke 2:8, 10-11 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night... and the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord

All the world had been waiting for the birth of the Messiah. So when this Messiah arrived how would you expect His coming to be announced? Would it come to the most important people? Would it come to those who had the most influence or the best connections? This might be the way of the world, but that is not God's way!

When the coming of the Messiah was announced we find that it was not made to the most important people, but to some of the least important people in the land. It was not made to those with the most influence and best connections, but to those who probably had the least amount of influence. It was not made in the palace but out in the field among the sheep!

You might well ask why was that? It's always the way with God that He resists the high and mighty but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). So it is that the announcement of the Messiah's birth comes to Shepherds watching over their flocks by night. These Shepherds are privileged to be the first ones to hear about our Saviour's birth. An Angel comes to them with the good news that a Saviour has been born in the city of David, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). This is good news for us just as it was for those who heard the angel's message long ago.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King, Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

http://goldenverses.org/great-joy

Firstborn Son

Luke 2:4,7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem ... and she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

At just about the time that Mary was due to have her child a decree comes from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. In order for this to happen everyone must travel back to their home town. The home town of Joseph was Bethlehem and so it is to Bethlehem that they must travel. Not long after they arrive in Bethlehem, Mary falls into labour and brings forth her firstborn Son. She lays him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn.

Such is the entrance of the long awaited Messiah into our world! Is this the way you would have chosen to welcome the Messiah into our world? It may not be the way that you would have planned it, but it is exactly the way God planned it. God allowed all of these things for a very important reason. The Lord Jesus thought it not robbery to be equal with God but for our sake He took on the form of a servant and was found in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:6-7).

When Scripture says He took on "the form of a servant", it really means it! Even in His birth He was born in the servant's quarters. He was the Son of God and yet He became the servant. We were not even servants of God and yet through Jesus Christ we're adopted as Sons. He was born in the stable that we might find our way to the palace of the King.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

www.goldenverses.org

Save His People

Mary had been visited by an Angel to tell her that she would soon bring forth the Messiah. Not long after this Joseph also received a message from an Angel about this Son that Mary was about to bear. The Angel told Joseph that the origin of Mary's Son was by influence of the Holy Ghost. The Angel then goes on to tell Joseph that they must call his name JESUS.

The name "Jesus" is the Greek version of the Hebrew name "Joshua". When we look back in Scripture we find a very well known leader of Israel called Joshua who brought the people into the Promised Land. The nation of Israel were brought out of Egypt by Moses and taken to the border of the Promised Land, but Moses did not bring them in. It took Joshua to bring them in.

It's interesting that this Joshua was first called "Oshea" (see Numbers 13:8). The name "Oshea" means "Saviour". Moses later changed his name to Joshua by adding the first syllable from the divine name JEHOVAH (see Numbers 13:16). By putting "Jeh" & "Oshea" together we get "Joshua", or "God my Saviour"! Jesus name means "God my Saviour"! Through the baby of Bethlehem we have our Saviour brought into our world.

Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy Holy Face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth! Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!

http://goldenverses.org/save-his-people

#Advent

Called Immanuel

Isaiah 7:14 Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel

There are many promises given in the Old Testament Scriptures about the coming of a Messiah. Perhaps none are more clear and more well known than this - "behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel". The identity of the Messiah is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. There are some pieces of the puzzle which are hard to know where they fit (for example the blue sky pieces of a jigsaw puzzle). We know they must fit, but sometimes we're not quite sure exactly where! However there are also some pieces which are so obvious that anyone could fit them in (for example the corner piece of a jigsaw puzzle).

If Scripture were a jigsaw puzzle to the identity of the Messiah then Isaiah 7 verse 14 would be in the top right hand corner! It would be one of the first pieces that anyone would put in the puzzle.

This prophecy of Isaiah reveals several key features about the identity of the Messiah. It tells us He will come by way of a virgin birth. It tells us that the Messiah will be a son. It then goes on to tell us that His name will be called Immanuel. In Scripture names often have a special meaning. This is the case with "Immanuel" because it means "God with us". In fulfilment of prophecy we find a young virgin called Mary bringing forth her firstborn son, wrapping him in swaddling clothes and laying him in a manger in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7). In this way the long awaited Messiah enters our world, just as God had promised that He would.

www.goldenverses.org

#Advent

Rejoicing The Heart

Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart

Imagine if you were lost in the jungle and had been trying to find your way out for ten years. You have tried many different paths hoping that it would be the way out of the jungle only to find yourself more and more lost. What would you give for a map that would show you a guaranteed path to freedom? If you had been lost for all that time you would give just about anything!

God's Word is like that map. Scripture tells us the statutes of the Lord are right. They are always right. There is no time they are not right! It is an infallible guide to freedom. It leads us out of the dark jungle of sin into God's marvellous light. The wonderful thing about God's Word is that it will never mislead us or misguide us in any way. If you follow its directions you are guaranteed to find your way to freedom.

If you had been searching for the path to freedom for a long time and suddenly found a map showing you the right path, how happy would you be? You would be jumping for joy! In the same way the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The way we follow this map is by faith and obedience. As we follow God's map it will surely lead us to Him.

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the Word of God and may it always be the rejoicing of our heart, in Jesus' Name, amen.

#rejoice

Making Wise The Simple

Psalm 19:7 The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple

When someone gives us their testimony we hope that it is true. However with human testimony we can never be one hundred percent sure that it is true. The wonderful thing about God's testimony to us in His Word is that it is always true! Heaven and earth will pass away but God's Word will not pass away (Luke 21:33). God's Word is more sure than the earth we stand on and the heavens we look up to. Long after this earth has passed away and the heavens have been rolled up like a scroll God's Word will still endure. We would therefore do well to give our attention to it!

As we come to God's Word we must come with a humble attitude. We must have a poor and humble spirit. God has filled the hungry with good things, but those who are rich and full of their own importance He has sent empty away (Luke 1:53). God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble (James 4:6).

God's Word was not given for those who are proud and mighty. It was given to those who are poor in spirit. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3). The things of God's Word are hidden from the wise and prudent, but are revealed unto babes (Luke 10:21). As we come with a simple and humble faith God's Word will make us wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).

http://goldenverses.org/making-wise-the-simple

#grace

God's Perfect Word

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul

There are two main revelations of God that we may experience. These are the revelation of nature and the revelation of God's Word. As wonderful as nature is in revealing God to us it is God's Word which reveals Him most clearly. It is therefore to God's Word that we should give our utmost attention

The wonderful thing about God's Word is that it is perfect in every way. Scripture tells us that God's Word is like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times (Psalm 12:6). Every word of God is pure (Proverbs 30:5). We are told that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). We are not just flesh and blood, but soul and spirit as well. In order to be spiritually alive we need to feed our souls on God's perfect Word.

God's Word has the power to convert and restore our soul. Because of our sin we have all gone astray from our maker. However God's Word has the power to bring us back to Him. The law of God is perfect and when we compare ourselves to it we find that we are not perfect. In fact we find we are very far short of perfect! The more we look at God's perfect standards the more sinful we will appear. God's law is like a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Galatians 3:24). As we hear the convicting power of God's law we will flee to Christ for mercy and forgiveness. Let's give our attention to God's Word that we may find the Saviour in it.

Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to the cross I cling, Foul I to the fountain fly, Wash me Saviour, or I die.

Heavenly Father, help us to find the Saviour in God's perfect Word. In Jesus' name, amen.

#God's Word

Nothing Hid

Psalm 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

In Scripture the sun is often used as an illustration of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no way of ignoring the sun. Anyone with eye sight sees the light of the sun. Even if you were totally blind you would still be able to feel the heat of the sun. In the same way there will come a day when no person who ever lived will be able to ignore the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture tell us “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11)

Just as the light of the sun makes a circuit around the earth, in the same way the Gospel of Jesus Christ will also go around the earth and be preached to every creature under heaven (Colossians 1:23). Just as the sun is at the centre of our solar system with all the planets revolving around it, the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God sits in the centre of Scripture and is the centre of God’s revelation.

Just as there is nothing hid from the heat of the sun, there is nothing hid from the attention of our Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that “neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13). It also tells us that things "which are spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Luke 12:3). There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s bow our hearts to the Lord Jesus that we may be among those who "love His appearing".

http://goldenverses.org/nothing-hid

Psalm 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

When you see the sun rising in the morning think of it as a bridegroom getting all done up and coming out ready to meet his bride. Such a bridegroom would be bursting with joy in the expectation of soon meeting his bride. Everyone who sees the bridegroom can see the warmth and joy on his face. In the same way the sun rises up and brings warmth and joy to the face of the earth.

In Scripture the bridegroom is used as an illustration of Christ with the bride being His Church. In the parable of the ten virgins we have the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom to appear. Those who were faithful in waiting were taken into the wedding feast. Those who were not faithful were locked out! (Matthew 25:1-13). We also have the reference to marriage being a spiritual illustration of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:32).

The Lord Jesus is the bridegroom who comes out of His chamber ready to meet His bride. In doing this he rejoices as a strong man to run a race. In this world the devil is like a strong man that keeps guard over his kingdom of darkness. However the Lord Jesus is like an even stronger man who overpowers him and sets the captives free (Luke 11:21-22). Those what the Son makes free are free indeed (John 8:36). As we place our faith in Christ we become spiritually joined to Him just as a bridegroom is joined to his bride in marriage. Christ is the bridegroom who has gone away but will one day return to take His bride to Himself. Let's remain faithful to Christ that we may have the right to go in to the wedding feast at his return.

http://goldenverses.org/like-a-bridegroom

LAWS OF NATURE

Learning From Nature

Streamlining of vehicles and aircraft was not seriously applied until around the early nineteen thirties. Why was it that technologists did not bother to learn from the fact that birds and fish have been streamlined from the beginning? Engineers tell us that the tail of a fish is more energy efficient and effective than a rotating propeller. This is also more convenient for the fish!

In nature the single celled organisms propagate themselves by dividing into two. There are other living things called hermaphrodites which have within themselves, all that is necessary for reproduction.

In human beings the properties necessary for living and reproduction are divided between males and females and neither sex has all the required properties. Therefore nature requires that the two sexes have a complementary role and attempts to do otherwise are at best “unnatural”.

The Laws Of Nature

It may surprise many to hear that some of the problems in our society arise from a popular view of the origin of the universe and living things. A very compelling view can be found by considering the laws of nature. For example, gravity, law of electro-magnetic induction, laws of thermodynamics, and laws that govern the interaction of atomic nuclei. Consider the most well known law, that of gravity. What would happen without it? Planets are held together by gravitational force and also held in orbit by gravitational attraction between the planet and sun. Gravitational force is also involved with those vast awesome cosmic “vacuum cleaners” called black holes. Like gravity, all of the many laws of nature had to be in place, unchanged from the beginning, before the universe could come into existence or function. Therefore it is impossible that they gradually evolved without a cause.

This leads to the view that such laws could only be brought into existence and upheld by a Law Maker who is beyond both space and time, has the property of self-existence and is of infinite power and intelligence.

A current theory of evolution involves the assumption that both the universe and living things came into existence without a cause. The flaw in the theory is that it is unable to explain the origin of the matter from which the supposed evolutionary process began. It is an absurdity to believe that something suddenly appeared out of nothing without intelligent design. However this is very widely believed because it is repeated so often in schools, universities and the media. If there is no God, then there is no absolute moral law, and many resort to the attitude “if it feels good do it.” Such reasoning is on an emotional basis only, and carries dangers for our society.

Surely it is better to believe that the God who made the laws of nature has also given us His moral law - “our Maker’s instructions”. The moral law given in the Christian Bible, tells us that “love is the fulfilling of the law”, and the family unit is based on marriage between a man and a woman.

http://goldenverses.org/laws-of-nature

#creation #evolution

Creation Speaks

Psalm 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun

The witness of creation is so clear that all people can see it. No-one can ignore it! You can ignore the witness of preachers but you cannot ignore the witness of creation. The language of creation is like sign language. We don't hear it with our ears, but it still communicates with us in a powerful way through what we see. The message it tells us is the greatness of the One who created it.

Like the rising of the sun, the message of the Gospel has also gone out to all the world. Just as the light of the sun touches every nation on earth, it is God's plan that the light of the Gospel will also touch every nation on earth (Romans 10:18). Every time we see the sun rising it should remind us that our Lord Jesus Christ is risen again. The sun rises up in the sky just as Christ is risen up and now sits in heaven at the right hand of God. The sun then goes down to the horizon again just as the Son of God will again come down to judge the earth in righteousness and truth.

The sun is the physical light of our world, reminding us that Christ is the spiritual light of our world. Just as the sun rises upon the earth, may the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2) arise in our hearts that we may no longer walk in darkness but that we may walk in the light of life (John 8:12).

The Language Of Creation

Psalm 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

There are many different languages throughout the world. However there is one language which everyone can understand. This is the language of creation. The created universe speaks to us in a powerful way and the message it sends us is how awesome is our God!

No matter what language you may speak everyone can understand the powerful message of creation. The only ones who don't hear it are the ones who don't want to hear it! There are none so blind and deaf as those who do not want to see and hear. For those who are willing to receive it there is abundant evidence in creation that there is a God.

The amazing knowledge and artistic design we see in the universe cannot have happened through blind chance. Did a paintbrush pick itself up and paint the Mona Lisa? Did a pen pick itself up and compose Beethoven's ninth symphony? In the same way the marvels we see in creation must have had a creator. Scripture tells us that the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead (Romans 1:20). Let's listen to the message of creation and give glory to the wonderful Creator of all things.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works thy hands have made I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art!

http://goldenverses.org/language-of-creation

Day Unto Day

Psalm 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Our world is like a book in which we can read about our Creator. As each day and night goes by it is like turning the pages of a book. Each day is like a new page in the book of creation. As each new day begins it speaks to us about the glory and power of our Creator. It tells us about the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.

The incredible detail of creation speaks to us about the skill of the Creator. The beauty of creation speaks to us about the care and love of the Creator. The scale of the created universe speaks to us about power of the Creator. From Scripture we are given to understand that this world is under a curse as a result of man’s sin. As such what we see in our world now is only a pale reflection of the original beauty of creation (Genesis 3:17-19).

Imagine a beautiful painting that had been scratched many times across the front. It would not be like the original painting, but you would still be able to make out something of what the original looked like. It's the same with our world. We can still see enough in our world to understand the power of God who originally created it. The wonderful promise of Scripture is that one day the Lord will restore the original paradise of creation with a “new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Each day is one day closer to the time that God will restore “all things” through our Lord Jesus Christ.

http://goldenverses.org/day-unto-day

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God

When you pick up a book most often you will see the name of the author written on the front cover. When you look at a painting very often you will see the artist's name or initials marked in one of the corners. When you listen to a song recording there will be the name of the song along with the person who wrote it. Do books write themselves? Do pictures paint themselves? Do songs write themselves? No, of course not! To say such a thing would be ridiculous! How much more ridiculous to say the universe somehow created itself.

When you look up at the stars in the sky and the greatness of them we should think about the greatness of the One who put them there. When you see a skilful painting you would think about the skill of the artist who painted it. When you hear a great piece of music you would associate it with a gifted composer who wrote it. How much more skilful and amazing is the One who put all the stars in the sky? How much more worthy of our praise is the One who gives us our breath of life?

When we see the heavens above this speaks to us about the glory of God. When we look at the works of creation we see in it the handiwork of the creator. Let's stand in awe at the amazing God who created it all.

http://goldenverses.org/heavens-declare

God Is Able

Daniel 3:17 Our God whom we serve is able to deliver

Never in the kingdom of Babylon had so bold words been spoken to the king! At that time king Nebuchadnezzar and his empire of Babylon ruled the whole world. He was the most powerful man on the face of the earth. After invading and defeating the country of Israel he had taken three young men back to Babylon to train them up in the ways of his kingdom.

He had one request for them - bow down to the golden idol or be thrown into the fiery furnace! He didn't ask them to keep bowing down, just to do it once. Many of their own countrymen in Israel had been bowing down to idols for a long time. Surely if so many other Israelites were doing it might it not be wrong this one time? When faced with sin these are the types of excuses many people make. What all may do is not right if it is against God's Word.

These three young men (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) take a bold stand for God's truth and do not fear the anger of the king. Nebuchadnezzar had proudly said "who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" (Daniel 3:15). In answer to this they tell him that our God whom we serve is able. What a wonderful statement of faith! The whole world stood against these three men and yet they chose to obey God rather than man. This is the victory of true faith. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). Let's stand shoulder to shoulder with these three mighty men of faith and always be true to our God. Let's place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that we too may overcome this sinful world through Him.

Prayer : Heavenly Father, help us to always remember that our God is able to deliver. In Jesus' Name, amen.

View online : http://goldenverses.org/god-is-able

Be Glad In The Lord And Rejoice

Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice

Those who are in the Lord are the ones who are glad. Those who belong to the Lord are the ones who rejoice. Our God is a God of gladness and rejoicing. You cannot know God and not be glad and rejoice. The more you know God the more your heart will rejoice and sing of His praises.

Those who are glad and rejoice in the Lord are the only ones who have true and lasting joy. There are those who rejoice in sin (this is the devil's joy) and yet after a few moments of joy are cast into the seas of despair. There are those who rejoice in wealth and riches (this is the fool's joy) and who try to gain the whole world and yet lose their own soul. There are those who rejoice in much wine (this is the drunkard's joy), and yet when the wine runs out so does the joy.

There is only one sure way to rejoice and be glad, and that is to rejoice and be glad in the Lord. For those who know the blessing of sins forgiven they cannot help rejoicing. The less we know of sin and the more we know of the Lord the more our heart will be bursting with joy. When the Ethiopian eunuch was baptised by Philip did he go on his way with a sad look on his face? Never. He went on his way rejoicing! So will all those who are truly baptised into our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:39).

Prayer : Heavenly Father let us always be glad in the Lord and rejoice. In Jesus' Name, amen.

http://goldenverses.org/be-glad-in-the-lord-and-rejoice

#rejoice

Romans 5:8 Christ died for us

If you want proof of the fact that God loves us you need look no further than this : Christ died for us. 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). 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).

It is the love of God for us that caused Him to send His only begotten Son into the world. He did not send His Son into the world to save His friends. No, he sent Him into the world to save His enemies. Because of our sinful hearts every single one of us is by nature the enemy of God. How amazing is it then that God wanted to save His enemies!

You can perhaps understand someone wanting to lay down their life for their friends. But who ever heard of someone laying down their life for their enemies? This is the amazing thing about God's grace. 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. Every single one of us is that like that wretch, for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It was for wretches such as this that God sent us the Lord of glory to die for the sons of earth. Christ did not die vain. Christ died for us. He died for all those who place their faith in Him and trust Him for salvation. If you haven't done so, why not do that today?

Prayer : Heavenly Father, let us always give thanks that Christ died for us. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Inspirational Christian Daily Devotions