Love Worth Finding

[Judy Harder]

December 19

Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." - Matthew 14:14

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

It is the unbelievable, supernatural replenishment that awakens the world to see the mighty power of God. Jesus demonstrated, once with a crowd of 5,000 and again with a crowd of 4,000, that He is the God who provides (see Matthew 14:14-21, 15:32-38).

When the most "responsible" thing to do, in human terms, was to ask the multitudes to find their own food, Jesus turned to the supernatural power of God. Moved with compassion, He confidently told the disciples to begin feeding the multitudes.

Jesus never wavered in His complete and utter trust in Jehovah Jireh.

ACTION POINT:

Read the accounts of these miracles in Matthew with your family today, then ask God to fill your family with an utter and complete trust in Jehovah Jireh.

[Judy Harder]

December 20

God's Provision, A Living Testimony

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What is it about your life that you cannot explain apart from God? Do you know that's the only part of you that is believable? Let me illustrate. If your neighbor can explain you, then you are just like him—only you're religious.

Friend, your life as a religious person is not going to convince him of the power of God. But when he sees God supernaturally meeting your needs, then, you're going to be believable.

ACTION POINT:

How is your life radiating the light of our Lord in your neighborhood? Invite your neighbors over for a night of fellowship and share with them the Good News of the divine birth of Jesus.

[Judy Harder]

DECEMBER 21

Loneliness During the Holidays

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." - Psalm 116:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I believe that the holidays are the loneliest time of the year. Everywhere you look, people are told they're supposed to be happy and they realize they're not. They see everybody else acting happy, and they feel so lonely. Just walking down the mall can make you feel lonely.

But Jesus has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). When I'm discouraged, His presence sees me through. When I'm lonely His presence cheers me up.  When I'm worried, His presence calms me down. And when I am tempted, His presence will help me out.

ACTION POINT:

Write down the last portion of this devotional thought and personalize it. Now use it as a prayer of faith and trust.

[Judy Harder]

DECEMBER 22

But He Made Himself of No Reputation

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Jesus came in a manger for you and for me. He willingly left the glories and riches of heaven to be born in a stable.

Jesus became poor so that we might become rich. He lived a life of such abject poverty that when He had to pay taxes, He had to look for a coin in a fish's mouth. When He sent out His disciples, He told them to take nothing but a staff and the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 6:7-9). He was put to death like a common criminal so that we could wear a royal robe!

Child of God, you are rich! I am rich! Praise God!

ACTION POINT:

Read Philippians 2:6-11 with your family or friends today as a Christmas devotional. Spend time praising God for His Son, Jesus.

[Judy Harder]

DECEMBER 23

Held in His Hand

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not." - 1 John 3:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

You are rich! Jesus became the Son of Man that we might become sons of God. We are saved because of the grace of Christmas. That is not rhetoric—that is reality!

A little boy was talking about eternal security and said, "I am held in His hand."
A cynic responded, "What if you slip through His hands?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you," the boy replied, "I'm one of His fingers."
You are rich, my friend.

ACTION POINT:

Amidst all the materialism that sometimes chokes out the true meaning of Christmas, take some time to share this Good News with someone today.

[Judy Harder]

DECEMBER 24

Boldly Proclaiming Good Tidings of Great Joy

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." - Luke 2:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The angel said that we have received "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." God wants this message known around the world.

Now I know that you may not be a preacher, but you can be a "reach-er"! What would happen if every believer went out into their neighborhood and said, "Jesus is Lord!" How will the world know if we don't tell them? Oh, we need to be bold for Jesus.

The skies are going to split open, and the trumpet is going to sound. The dead in Christ will rise, and the angels will once again be heard! "He's returned!" The Savior born in a manger will return as a Monarch to rule and to reign!

ACTION POINT:

Are you joyfully sharing the Good News of Christ this Christmas? Will you be bold and share His Good News with someone today?

[Judy Harder]

DECEMBER 25

The Greatest Gift of Love

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Christmas is spelled L-O-V-E.  What is the Christmas message?  John 3:16. God gave us the gift of love on Christmas Day.

It is truly said, "What the world needs now is love." I need it. You need it. Your spouse needs it. Your child needs it. An elderly man or woman sitting alone in a nursing home today needs it. A child abandoned and alone in a children's home needs it, too.

God sent His one and only Son as the Savior. He knew we couldn't save ourselves. So He sent His Son to be born in a manger, to die on a cross, to rise again into glory, and to come again to redeem His church.

ACTION POINT:

Where are you spending your Christmas day? Maybe you can spare a few minutes with your family and friends to share His gift of love with someone who is all alone today.

[Judy Harder]

DECEMBER 26

Anticipation of an Even Greater Day

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

It's the day after Christmas. The glow on the tree is just a little dimmer because the anticipation of the day is now past. Ever feel that way about your walk with the Lord? Well, let me give you some good news, my friend. The best is yet to be!

That's right. Christmas Day is past, but Resurrection Day is coming soon, and I don't mean Easter. I mean the Second Coming of Our Lord is imminently on the horizon.

He is coming again. And that's not just a nice thing; that's a rock-ribbed truth! Jesus is coming again!

ACTION POINT:

Write down John 14:3 on a little note, and as you say goodbye to family and friends, give them this note of encouragement.

[Judy Harder]

DECEMBER 27

Investing in Others for God's Glory

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord." - Isaiah 63:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

One time a man came into a village and asked an old man living there, "Any great men born here?" The old man said, "No, just babies."

Great men are not born; great men are made, investing in the lives of others, sharing God's love, and showing His mercies.

There is not a magic formula that instantly makes us sanctified. Sanctification is a process. Our calling is to be poured out into the lives of others for His glory.

ACTION POINT:

How can you show His mercies to a lost co-worker or neighbor today? Pray about it and then watch for how God provides!

[Judy Harder]

DECEMBER 28

Random Acts of Kindness

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great." - Luke 6:35

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I've seen bumper stickers that exhort us to "show random acts of kindness."  I think that's a good thing. And what is kindness?  It's love in the little things.

A woman came down the aisle of a church to give her heart to Christ, and the preacher wanted to know what had impacted her life for Christ.

She said, "You did."

The pastor said, "Well, I'd be interested to know what it was that I said that brought you to Christ."

She said, "It was nothing you said. It was something you did. I was standing nearby when somebody criticized you very unfairly. I saw the kindness with which you responded, and I knew that your faith was real."

ACTION POINT:

What random act of kindness can you do today that will demonstrate that your faith is real?