Our Wonderful God

December 23, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 9:6

“Our wonderful God” This is not a phrase I use often, but found myself writing about the love of our wonderful God which comforts us in all our losses. A friend’s mother had just died. It is Christmas time and the One whom prophecy foretold would be called “Wonderful” was ministering comfort to the grieving family.

Is it because of the things Jesus did that He deserves that name? Is it because God still performs miracles? I’ve held a miracle baby in my arms. Possibly every mother thinks her baby is a ‘miracle’, but when a young mom in Kenya prayed for her infertility to be taken away after many years of childless marriage, the little son I cradled in my arms was truly a miracle!

I’ve held another sort of baby in my arms, praising God for the miracle of His wonderful love and mercy. She was a woman with a ‘past’ who had found forgiveness at the feet of her Lord Jesus, and had entered into the family of God as a babe in Christ! What a glorious privilege!

There are many stories of God’s healing, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually that have been recorded down through the history of humankind. Today we need Him as much as ever, to perform miracles of grace in a world gone mad with the passions of the ‘self’.

Three hundred years ago Isaac Watts penned the lyrics to ‘Joy to the World’, which into the twentieth century was one of the most beloved Christmas Carols. He ends it in a spirit of absolute wonder!

“He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love!”

Yes! His name shall be called “Wonderful”! Why? Because He [Jesus] is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. God gave this prophecy to Isaiah for our benefit today. It is because of the wonders of God’s character that we fall on our knees to worship Him! Who do we know that equals His Wisdom? Who is so faithful in love? Where can we find such eternal justice or purity? God’s purity is called by a special name – He is Holy! Righteous! Fair!

Scripture reveals God yearns for a relationship with us in which He can demonstrate His gentleness, and goodness. Just as we have taken babies into our arms, our heavenly Father desires to bless us, tenderly drawing us close to His heart, enfolding us in His strong arms, caressing us with His nail-pierced hands. Isn’t this “Wonderful”….that the sovereign Creator of our universe is so relational?

Reflection:

How many hearts today long for the security of such a wonderful relationship? How many folks are shattered by man’s unfaithfulness? Whom can we trust? The wonderful truth is God is here, and He too longs for relationship with us, imperfect as we may be. He stands ready to pour His righteousness into our lives to “fit us for heaven to live with Him there” as the song-writer says. Imagine living for eternity with our Wonderful God!

Devotional

The Prepared Place

December 18, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Hiim Immanuel” [God with us]

It all started in the mind of God. Earth – that perfect home for mankind. Man – made in the image of God, a miracle of creation! That human body complete with senses, alert to sights and sounds around him – the perfect man! And woman. Both made in God’s image, these two took up residence in a place God prepared for them which was absolutely perfect!.

Then there was the promise of a Virgin’s womb. Why? What? How? When? A multitude of questions!

Planned in the heart of God, there became a family of little children. Mary and Joseph had sons and daughters (Mark 6:3). But! Their first child was a miracle, different from all the rest. Jesus wasn’t just human, but He was Divine, perfect, sinless. Before Mary and Joseph came together she conceived that which was of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20).

Try to imagine what it was like for the Son of God to become a baby. Philippians 2 tells us “He humbled Himself and took on the form of a man (2:6-8). That part we might understand if indeed He had appeared as a man, but the Christ-child is much more difficult to fathom, isn’t it? Becoming part of a family! Planned thousands of years before in the mind of God.

Then there was the ancient temple, where devoted Jews went to meet with God. Prepared in advance, Jesus recognized this place as His Father’s House and defended it in a shocking display of anger when He cleared the money changers out because ”It is a House of prayer” (Matthew 21:13).

Later they killed Him. And there was a place prepared for His body, in accordance with an ancient prophecy (Matthew 27:57-60) A dark place. A quiet place where a miracle happened. His human body was transformed! Jesus, the Christ lives. He lives on in places prepared. When folks receive His sacrifice for their sins with joy, He comes to live in their hearts! (Ephesians 3:17)

Armageddon – the place of final battle. The Prince of Peace….we sing about Him at Christmas time, but this is when that great peace will finally be accomplished. And we will live forever with the Lord in heaven because Jesus promised “I go to prepare a place for you….!” (John 14:1)

Reflection:

At Christmas time let us worship the baby who took His place in the plan of the Father. We who question so much of what we see God doing in our world, and in our lives, need to pause to reflect on the Holy One we say we follow. Have we committed our lives to receive what God has mapped out for us? Is there a womb experience, or a tomb that we must go through? What joy and peace may lie on the other side?

Devotional

The Perfect Parent

December 8, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Proverbs 3:11-12

How many young couples holding a tiny new life in their hands, start out hoping to improve on the parenting that was modelled for them? Others want to emulate the Dad or Mom or even Grandparents they were blessed with. What is the highest expectation a new Mom and Dad might hold of what their parenting skills will achieve?

In hospital with my own firstborn I remember the two young girls sharing my room both wanted to “grow up” with their babies. Both 18, it is probable they still had some growing up to do. But maturity is a relative term…we are forever learning. Adapting to parenthood is a process, not an event. At Christmas time one can’t help but think of what young Mary had ahead of her; parenting a perfect baby when she herself wasn’t mature.

There is one exception of course. God, our Heavenly Father is the perfect parent. He is not in the process of ‘becoming’. He is….all that is perfect, the loving, all-seeing, all-knowing, fair and just, Parent. Although we may try, it is impossible to pull the wool over His eyes; we cannot manipulate God. We can anger Him. People throughout human history have grieved our heavenly Father. How does He respond?

Our Father God disciplines those He loves, for our own good (Hebrews 12:6,10). People have asked why God would allow suffering, but perhaps it is because He knows it is often through suffering that men and women will turn to Him for His help. Why does God not fix the inequities in our world today? He knows we need to be stretched…those who are rich need to help those who are poor. Are we passing the test?

As parents we think we are better people when we rush in to fix the mistakes our children make, whereas the reality is they would become better people if they suffered the consequences of their wrong choices. On the basis of mistaken understanding of the character of God, we judge Him according to the ways of man, rather than the other way around. He is the benchmark of perfect parenting.

What is the product of perfect parenting going to be? Someone who is happy? Someone who is helpful? Someone who has hope? Can health and wealth compare with these assets? Sadly I have seen the most wealthy people who are empty of hope or happiness because they have no vision for helping. The perfect parent reaches out to help others, modelling choices that will impact a child’s well-being forever.

Reflection:

Our Father God reached down to a world that was suffering to offer help and hope, joy and peace, relief from the worst suffering possible. Separation from God determines our eternal destiny, so with kindness, mercy and grace our Father sent Jesus into this world to make relationship with His Father possible by paying the penalty for our sins. Jesus modelled how to live, and how to love. As our prefect Father’s perfect Son, Jesus offers us sonship, in His name. Will we receive God’s offer this Christmas?

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Devotional

Today’s Anti-Christ

January 6, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

1 John 4:1-5

Paul wrote that “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

It seems rather shocking to know that there was a spirit of anti-Christ in the same generation in which Christ lived. His Apostle John describes this for us, in his small epistle of 1 John. He identifies how we might distinguish what is from God’s Spirit. “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is of God” (1 John 4:2). After Jesus died, the Holy Spirit was sent to comfort Jesus’ disciples, but His ministry was much more far-reaching in that it also convicted men of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). The rejection of that conviction forms the basis of the attitude that ‘I do not need God.’

However, man was created to worship. That need will be fulfilled. Down through history the spirit of anti-Christ has taken man into the depths of degradation as they worshiped idols, worshiped self, and even worship Satan….anything but Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Sometimes it starts quite innocently. Father Christmas became the imaginary donor of gifts to little children, a character adopted from stories played out in the Middle Ages. To encourage good behaviour a system of reward was developed…and through the centuries has changed even further. For example, naughty children no longer get a lump of coal in their stockings, since in an era of electric heat, coal is meaningless.

One must wonder if Christ has been replaced by Santa in order to make Christmas palatable to folks of other religious persuasions? Let’s look at a couple of comparisons. Santa comes from a mysterious place. Jesus came from heaven. Santa is benevolent. Jesus gave His life for all who would receive Him. But now we see a measured difference: Santa rewards good behaviour. Jesus makes us holy, cleansing us from sin and freeing us by forgiving us. Also, Santa has no offer for eternity, whereas Jesus gives us the gift of eternal life. If Santa remained an imaginative figure like Winnie the Pooh, all is not lost, but when he replaces that which is sacred and all our carols adore Santa rather than Christ our Lord, we need to look at this seriously.

In a curious twist, notice the letters that make up Santa also make up another word which is Biblical ..…Satan. I would hate to malign the jolly fat man in a pretty red suit, who is kind and caring with little children, but there is a “BUT”. If we teach our children to base all their hopes and dreams on Santa, are we not exercising the spirit of anti-Christ? Imagination is not bad; Bart Millard exercised his in the following lyrics:

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine
I can only imagine Bart Millard

Reflection:

What does Christmas mean to you specifically. Some years ago there was a trend to shorten it to Xmas. Isn’t that what a lot of folks have done in their hearts? Crossed out our Christ? Oh may God forgive us! Without Jesus, Christmas would be meaningless. If He is the “reason for the Season” let us sing

“Joy to the World the Lord has come” instead of “Here comes Santa Claus”

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Angel Gabriel

December 25, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 1 & 2

Only two angels in the Bible have been named. The one we are studying is Gabriel, meaning “man of God”. He is best known for the announcements he made regarding Christ’s birth, but as well he can be seen in the Old Testament where he announced God’s plans to Daniel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21).

Gabriel appears first to the priest Zechariah. Luke tells us Zechariah’s division was on duty, he himself chosen by lot to offer the sacrifice of incense in the temple of the Lord (Luke 1:9). People were waiting outside, praying. How startled was this priest when an angel appeared beside him at the altar! Gripped with fear, Zechariah could hardly believe the angel’s message….his barren wife would bear a child! (1:13) There was tremendous hope for Israel, as well as for this childless couple! “He will be great in the eyes of the Lord….to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:16, 17b).

Seeking proof, the angel identified himself to Zechariah. Certain he was a “man of God” Zechariah believed, but he also suffered for doubting. He was struck dumb until the baby was born. People waiting outside for him, marvelled when he returned speechless. They realized he had seen a vision (1:21-22). He couldn’t even tell his wife, in so many words, what had happened to him.

The second time we see Gabriel is also as bearer of great news… “….a virgin, pledged to be married to a man named Joseph” (1:27) received an unusual visitor. Gabriel was sent by God to tell her she was highly favoured – Divinely chosen – to give birth to a son (1:28, 31). This angel was concerned for her emotional well-being. This was not an everyday occurrence so he reassured her first of all that “the Lord is with you” and instructed “Do not be afraid” (1:28, 30).

We see the tender hand of God upon this chosen woman. Her son would be great because he will be called “the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David” (1:32). In fact “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (1:35). Fantastic!

Mary faced a lot of unknowns. How would her family take this news? What about her fiancé Joseph? How about her friends? What about her own personal fears? What changes to her lifestyle was this news going to make? Pregnant before marriage? She would need the support of the Most High!

For some reason the angel who appeared to reassure Joseph was not named (Matthew 1:20). Was it Gabriel? Joseph was to name this baby “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21), the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means “the Lord saves”. This must have been a test of Joseph’s faith, but this name was also reassuring. Something great was about to happen in a world filled with chaos. At last the prayers of the people, for a Deliverer, were going to be answered!

Reflection:

Can you imagine being addressed by an angel in visible form? What was Gabriel’s job description? What was his attitude? How did God show His Divine favour to Mary? Was it in giving her the Holy Spirit in a day when He only made brief appearances? What might have been her thoughts about this experience when 33 years later the Holy Spirit was visibly given to indwell all believers?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Noel

December 17, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 2:8-14

Noel is a word we associate with Christmas carols. It is derived from several root meanings: from the French word Nael meaning Christmas, but goes back even further to the Latin word Natalis meaning birthday. Nouvelles means news. Nowell means shout for joy! Carols written in the Middle Ages began the common use of this word.

The word itself is not found in scripture. Why then is the Christmas carol “The First Noel”, so popular? The song was published in the early 1800’s, based on the account given to us by Luke. “I bring you good news” (Nouvelles), the angel said, speaking to a small group of shepherds. The news was so good it would cause a lot of people to experience “great joy” (Nowell) (Luke 2:10).

The effect of this good news was evangelistic. The shepherds were so impacted by the message from a heavenly choir, a host of angels (Luke 2:13), that they had to check it out. Going into Bethlehem in search of this newborn baby (Natalis), the town became aware that something significant was happening, right there in Bethlehem!

Down through centuries of time folks have rejoiced in the birth of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 2:11). The first Nael was sung on the hillsides of Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago, but the Spirit of the Lord still brings joy to the hearts of disciples who sing of Jesus’ birth today. Noel explains the coming of Christ to forgive and save us all…. “…and with His blood mankind hath bought. Noel!”

Just as the great star attracted attention, the life of Jesus has shed spiritual light onto our world ever since His advent, continuing “Both day and night. Noel!”. “Let us all, with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord…..Born is the King (the Christ, the Messiah). Noel!”

The Magi sought a king…”Where is the One who has been born ‘King of the Jews’?” (Matthew 2:2). Known at both His birth and crucifixion as King of the Jews, His status was even recognized by Herod (Luke 23:38). Jesus identified His kingdom as “not of this world” (John 18:36).

The Apostle Paul who struggled against the Lordship of Christ finally had to admit He is God, the One before whom “Every knee will bow…and every tongue would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). At the end of the age a choir of angels numbering thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand, will circle the throne where the Lamb who was slain is proclaimed worthy of all praise and honour and power forever and ever (Revelation 19:11-13) Nowell!

Reflection:

What sorts of images does that heavenly scene conjure up?

What will you celebrate this Christmas as the Holy Spirit informs your spirit of Noel?

Will you “follow the star, wherever it went”?

Where is Jesus calling you and me to go with the good news?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Noel

December 10, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Maximilian Orlowsky on Pexels.com

Luke 2:8-14

Reflection:

What sorts of images does that heavenly scene conjure up?

What will you celebrate this Christmas as the Holy Spirit informs your spirit of Noel?

Will you “follow the star, wherever it went”?

Where is Jesus calling you and me to go with the good news?

by Marilyn Daniels

http://www.marilyndaniels.net

Devotional

Advent

December 4, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) on Pexels.com

1 John 4:9-10

Wikipedia describes Advent as “a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is an anglicized version of the Latin word adventus, meaning”coming”. Advent is not a word to be found in the Bible, but was designed by the early church to signify a momentous Biblical truth. The LORD Jesus has come. Why was this so significant?

Today we hold the whole of scripture in our hands, the Old Testament and the New. Throughout both the key figure is the LORD. He is known by several names given to God’s chosen people Israel. Let us note that these Israelites were not chosen on the basis of their great accomplishments or particular intellect. In fact, we do not know why they, above any other people groups, were “chosen”. We do know that although God’s choice seems at first glance to be exclusive, He made His intention clear from the very beginning. When He called Abraham out of Ur, God stated He would include all nations in His Divine plan (Genesis 12:3).

God’s design was to develop a nation of people who would truly worship Him, preparatory to the Advent which, from the beginning, He knew would be necessary. It had not taken long for mankind to succumb to temptation, a choice that has given everyone, to this day, the knowledge of good and evil.

Many good people lived in the centuries between Adam and Christ. However, the general bent was for man to displease God, to rebel against His laws, to worship other gods and to destroy one another. The world became so dark that God nearly annihilated all mankind. His own chosen people were dispersed throughout the then-known world, away from their land, away from their centre of worship. Just as He is doing today, God gave people over to the evil desires of their hearts (Romans 1:24).

At last it was time! Into a very dark world came the light of life (John 1:4-5). The advent of Jesus brought both light and life. Hope! The yearning heart of God would be satisfied. Through Jesus Christ a people responsible for spreading the light of the gospel would be “born again” (John 3:16) – people who celebrated the advent of holiness into an evil world. What a contrast!

It is enough to say Jesus was the fulfilment of prophesy. This is why His coming – His advent, is remembered more than 2,000 years later as the pivotal point in history. Satan has tried in every way to get rid of Jesus, because once He came to earth, He continued to indwell His people through His Holy Spirit (John 16:7). Believers continue to crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), who writhes in his attempts to darken the doors of churches, and the hearts of men.

But for the advent of our LORD, it is quite possible that Satan’s strikes would have endangered mankind forever. However, the purposes, the Word, and promises of God must not be overlooked. God sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Reflection:

How many children keep an advent calendar? Perhaps some adults do too. Does it focus on the baby Jesus? Or does this season of advent mean simply a moment to rush around purchasing gifts and food, decorating homes and squeezing in the occasional moment to carol songs about the Christmas spirit? How many people have the real spirit of Christmas, a spirit of peace and good will to all? Have our traditions burdened our spirits into a seasonal grumpiness because of all the obligations family and friends have placed upon us? What do our hearts sing about the Advent of Jesus?

by Marilyn Daniels

http://www.marilyndaniels.net

Devotional

Christology

January 2, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 1:23

Christology is simply a big word for the Study of Christ.

People have complicated the discipline called Christology by adding all sorts of perspectives – for example:

“Feminist Christology”. In an attempt to answer the question : ”Who is Jesus Christ?” someone has suggested:

“Because Christianity asserts that Jesus is human and divine, the discipline asks how both of these can exist

in one person. Christology also investigates how this relates to the life and works of Jesus.”

“In Christianity, Christology, translated literally from Greek as “the study of Christ”, is a branch of theology that concerns Jesus” (Wikipedia). Wikipedia comes very close to the truth. For the right answers to such questions we need to go to our Bibles, so it is helpful to check out the meaning of the original language in which it was written.

Why is such a study necessary at all? The only possible answer is: “Christ is the center of all we, as Christians believe”. We are named “Christian” because we follow all that He taught and lived, believing Jesus Christ to be the miraculous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Sadly there are many who, not being associated with any other faith group, call themselves Christian as a cultural reflex, rather than when they are impassioned by the life of Christ. How many of these folks have any idea of what the Christ of the Bible is really like, and what He has done for them personally?

At Easter we talk about “The Passion” of the Christ. What does that actually mean? The Passion of Christ is the story of Jesus Christ’s arrest, trial and suffering. It ends with his execution by crucifixion. The Passion is an episode in a longer story and cannot be properly understood without the story of the Resurrection. The word Passion comes from the Latin word for suffering. The modern translation from one dictionary, of the word ‘passion’ is: “A strong and barely controllable emotion”.

As we celebrate Christmas, named for 2000 years in honour of the birth of the Christ (Matthew 2:4), what do we know about the suffering that lay ahead of the tiny baby in the manger? Was His death the fulfillment of prophecy? The study of Christology must take us back into the Old Testament, to have a complete understanding of the significance of the Christ child. Many folks have testified to the power of God emanating from the reading of His Holy Word.

John the Apostle reminds us “”To all who receive Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). A lasting family relationship begins when our hearts are joined with that of our heavenly Father through Jesus the Christ.

Reflection:

First of all – do we recognize Jesus as “Messiah” [called Christ]? (John 4:25, 29)

We might ask ourselves “Does the love of Christ inflame a passionate response in my own heart?” Am I ready to suffer for His Name’s sake? It only makes sense that we need to study Holy Scripture in order to know what we believe about Christ Jesus. For Him to become Lord of our lives, requires a response. What is your answer to Jesus as He calls you today? “Come unto Me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest”.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Uncategorized

Praise God!

December 25, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

*Isaiah 46:10 *John 14:6 *John 1:12 *Philippians 4:19 *Luke 1:46

“Dear Lord! How wonderful it is to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, knowing that You planned it from the beginning of time. The deepest joy about which the angels sang, fills our hearts as another Christmas time roles around, and we marvel at Your mercy and grace.

Oh Father You created humankind for Your own pleasure – for fellowship and for service. You created each individual with a Divine purpose, placing us in a unique time and place, in a mysterious picture stretching from age to age. Your Word tells us You know the end from the beginning*. How often we would like to know what lies ahead. Forgive us for our impatience and for the folly which leads us to seek truth in places where evil lurks.

Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to lead us into all truth*. Thank you that because He became a man we can identify with, knowing He understands our thoughts and feelings, our pain and sorrows.

O God! We need to see Him in all His glory, described in prophecy throughout Your Holy Word! To worship Him releases energy that sometimes we spend in all the wrong places. Forgive us for the time we waste, exploring life here on earth without giving much thought to life throughout eternity. Yet, knowing the propensity of our human wills to search for our own way, You love us and sent Jesus to bring us light and life! This is amazing grace!

Forgive us for not passing on to others the peace which comes through “grace-filled” lives. O God! That our lives would exemplify Your love, demonstrated by our Lord Jesus. May others see that love shared, as we give of ourselves to those in need…folks around us who need a kindness, a word of encouragement, time spent just holding their hands as they grieve losses, disappointment and pain. Oh Lord we praise You for a multitude of opportunities to make a difference in our world. Forgive us when we are blind, or when we turn a deaf ear to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit.

At this Christmas season we remember Jesus who became a baby in order to meet needs, to meet my personal needs. I need a Saviour. Praise God for the truth of Your Word which teaches that “as many as receive Him, to those who believe in His name, to them He gives the right to become children of God!”* Praise God my Saviour guards my life day by day, keeping me from evil, saving me from repeating the mistakes of yesterday, and blessing me with forgiveness and love when I fail to do what is right. Your grace has provided for all my needs “according to His [Your] glorious riches in Christ Jesus”*. His life continues to make a difference in our world today.”

Reflection:

Praise God that as the hymn writer knew – “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known”.

Father, the words of Your humble servant Mary recorded in the Gospel of Luke,* ring down through eons of time, meaning the same today in the hearts of Your children:

“My soul glorifies the Lord!

My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour – for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant”

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)