Praise the Lord

January 14, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Psalm 148

The Psalmist call upon the heavens and the earth to praise God. As we begin the new year, let us think in terms of praising God. The common phrase queries “Is the cup half full or is it half empty?”. How will we choose to bring in another year?

My thoughts were drawn, as I read this Psalm, to the heavens which my grandson is famous for photographing. There are galaxies way beyond what we can see, so when the ancients called upon the “highest heavens” to praise the Lord, their writings stimulate our imagination.

Having just celebrated Christmas, “the heavenly host” has been in our thoughts, since choirs of angels sang at the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! “Praise Him sun, and moon, praise Him all you shining stars!”. Now why does this seem so important to the author of this Psalm?

We get the answer in verse 5: “For He commanded and they were created”. Just as God spoke our earth into being, He purposed the heavens. “He set them in place for ever and ever”. If mankind has the urge to explore, it is great to know there is a wealth of experience out there which has not even been tapped. That also reminds me that I have been created for a purpose. What an awesome thought!

But – the Psalm doesn’t end there. Things on the earth are called to praise the Lord. All creatures living in the ocean depths as well as land animals and birds, even the weather praise Him. How does “lightening and hail, and snow” praise the Lord? Is it because it shows forth the power of His might?

Last, but not least, “people” including kings and all the rulers on earth, young folks and old, are called to praise God “For His name alone is exalted”. We sing “His name is wonderful”. What do we think about, what life experiences have reinforced the thrill as we sing that song? As we sing, we claim “Jesus” as our personal Lord. What does that mean to you and to me? Scripture teaches us the name of the Lord is holy, majestic, trustworthy, glorious, and everlasting.

Reflection:

God calls us, through the still small voice of His spirit to worship Him for His name’s sake. ”I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake“. We do not need any other reason to “Praise the Lord” do we?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

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

Who is Jesus?

December 31, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 1:18-23

Do a survey among your community of family and friends asking this question. You may be surprised at the answers you get.

More than 2,000 years ago a baby was born in Bethlehem, a baby whose life and teachings shaped the next two millennia. Until now this event has even influenced the recording of our calendar years, gauging time by years before Christ (BC) and after His death (AD). How is it possible that something as important to the human race as time, has been governed by the birth of a baby born in obscurity?

The Bible records another astonishing incident – this baby was visited by kings from the east, “Magi” who honoured Him with costly gifts. Apparently the stars announced His birth to these learned men from afar. If that were possible, then we would no longer wonder that a few shepherds were astonished at the choir of angels singing praises to God. Through this baby, born in an insignificant town, in a small and oppressed nation, God was bringing peace to the world –

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favour rests” (Luke 2:14).

So we ask again – ‘Who is Jesus?”

An angel appeared to Joseph, confirming that his betrothed wife was going to give birth to a baby conceived in her by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). What did Joseph know about the Holy Spirit? The angel also gave a name to this baby – ‘Jesus’. We’ve previously noted that Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which in Hebrew means “the Lord saves”.

Centuries before this miraculous birth God gave Isaiah a prophecy that a virgin would be with child…impossible! Yes! But God is the God of the impossible, Jesus told his disciples (Mark 10:27). The prophet also predicted the name of the child would mean “God with us” – Immanuel!

During His three-year ministry several people recognized Jesus as the Messiah (the One anointed to take the throne of David Matthew 1:1), the Christ. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, about whom we hear very little, was the first to call Jesus ‘Messiah’ as he excitedly ran to Peter with this momentous news! (John 1:41). Next was the Samaritan woman…..demonstrating God’s love for all people! Imagine that He entrusted such identification to a woman who was not a Jewess! Jesus’ identity was revealed to a woman of ill repute, of a nationality despised by the Jews (John 4:29).

Reflection:
How do you see Jesus?

What might make Jesus the most powerful influence in your life?

What would you like your nearest and dearest to know about Jesus?…and why?

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

The Most High God

November 26, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Psalm 91

Psalm 91 is a beloved Psalm, used by many to comfort themselves in times of distress. You may be familiar with the word picture given to us by an unknown author: “He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge!” (91:4).

To whom is the writer referring? Reading from verse one we discover that those who “rest in the shadow of the Almighty” qualify for the promise. Why? Because their focus is on the Lord. They aren’t afraid to express their trust -“He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (91:1-2).

There is also an “If” in the picture. “If you make the Most High your dwelling”. Think of it…where you live is usually a place of sanctuary, of comfort. Imagine dwelling in the Most High God. What does that look like to you and to me? And the promise goes on – “Then no harm will befall you” (91:9-10a).

You see, we have an enemy – Satan. He cannot get at us when we are dwelling in God. Furthermore we will not be afraid, because this is a place of safety. Feathers don’t promise very great protection, but if you have ever seen a bird of prey surrounding his food with a circle of wings and tail, there is a surprising strength there. And these are God’s feathers. How often do we pause to think about the Most High God and what He is really like?

These feathers provide us with a fortress where God’s faithfulness will be our shield and rampart. A rampart is any physical protective wall. Furthermore “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. WOW! Do you know there are angels, right now, protecting you if what? “If you make the Most High your dwelling (91:9, 11).

Could you fill in your name, in verse 14? Because __________loves Me, says the Lord, “I will rescue ________. I will protect ____________ because _____________ acknowledges My name”. The last few verses are all about “I”, the Lord who will answer when we call on Him, who will be with us in trouble and deliver us, satisfying us with long life.

The last few words are crucial to our understanding of God. Salvation comes from Him. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts today to show us what the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished on the cross. If we respond to His invitation, then we form a relationship with God that provides forgiveness for past sins and present, as well as a future salvation which will be complete once we are in heaven. To God be the glory!

Reflection:

Isn’t it amazing how something will leap out from a familiar passage of scripture? This psalm is rich with understanding of the wonderful “Most High God”. His strength, His personal care, His faithfulness and His salvation are outstanding! Are you dwelling in the shadow of the Most High?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Getting in God’s Way

November 19, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 16:13-

The Bible records a story that is close to the experience of every believer. How often do we try to interpret God’s word as instruction for us to do something? Sadly we often do so on the basis of incomplete listening. We are so frequently reactionary that we only have half the picture when we fly off to “do” or to “fix” something.

Perhaps this is why we are told “…know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In that same verse the Lord tells His people to “Be still” – cease striving, and know that I am God. It seems that although they claimed to know God, they didn’t understand the magnificence, or the intentions of this Sovereign Being.

God spoke: “I will be exalted among the nations.” Pretty incongruous with the state of affairs in their world. So many other nations, heathens, pagans, were worshiping at the shrines of man-made gods. How would God be exalted among the nations? Certainly not with the help of the Israelites. Stop trying to fix it, God said.

A hymn-writer penned the words “Speak Lord, in the stillness, while I wait on Thee.” If God speaks to us in a still small voice, will we hear Him amidst the noise of our world? What assurance will we have that God speaks to His children today if we don’t practise the art of listening?

Back to our story – Peter had just identified Jesus as Divine. Jesus commended him for listening to the Holy Spirit who had revealed this truth to him, for it was on that truth that Jesus would build His church! (16:18). WOW! Imagine having that “well done” from Jesus’ own lips! However, Peter, being Peter, fails to listen to the rest of what Jesus needed to teach His disciples. He interrupted Him in the middle of an important prophecy. He only heard “I will be killed” – or that was what Peter thought he heard. Words tumbling over each other, Peter hastened to correct Jesus by exclaiming that was impossible! (Matthew 16:22).

Immediately Jesus turned the tables and spoke to him sharply. You are acting just like Satan; in fact your denial of my sacrifice is exactly what Satan wants this needy world to believe (16:23). You see – Peter was getting in God’s way. The perfect plan God was orchestrating in order to achieve redemption for the sins of the world, would have been turned upside down by Peter’s well-meaning protection of the One who needed to be his Saviour!

When the unexpected, or distasteful happens to us we are often tempted to tell God “Never, Lord!” just as Peter did, but if it fits into a Divine plan that is veiled from our eyes, might we just get in God’s way? Perhaps we need to pause, to listen carefully, and to wait for God to clarify His purpose, before we deny Him the opportunity to teach us precious lessons that He knows we need to learn.

Reflection:

Think about what God’s purpose might be in some unwelcome circumstance in your life.

Do your reactions tend to get in God’s way?

Does He sometimes need to rebuke you for not listening?

by Marilyn Daniels

http://www.marilyndaniels.net

Devotional

You Must Stand Trial

October 24, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Acts 27:24

Most of us do not consider standing trial a positive experience. If someone told us we were to be on trial before the highest tribunal in the land we would shudder with fear. The Apostle Paul was promised, by an angel, that he would stand trial before Caesar (:23). Yet somehow we get the feeling that he welcomed this news as we read his story recorded in Acts 27.

It was a long sea voyage from Caesarea to Rome, but that was the route they must take in order to meet Caesar. Weeks later they were transferred to an Alexandrian ship in Myra, but ran into bad weather as they sailed close to Crete. On the day after the Day of Atonement (referred to by Paul as the “Fast”) the captain decided to ignore Paul’s warnings about impending disaster, even though he knew sailing in October could be very hazardous.

Later, as they endured weeks of hurricane force winds and raging seas, Paul reminded them that they should have taken his advice to stay in Crete, but he also had some encouraging words. He urged them to keep up their courage (:22) on the basis of a vision he had. An angel visited him in the night to assure him he would stand trial.

Some of us might prefer to drown at sea, rather than suffer Roman persecution, but Paul was selfless. He cared about his fellow-passengers. Twice he encouraged them to have courage. (:22, 25) It was a moment of testimony to his faith in God, whom he assured them would keep His word by bringing him to Rome.

It was not smooth sailing after that. He knew they were in trouble and sure enough – they ran aground (:41) just as he had prophesied (:26). The prisoners then faced a new threat – their captors wanted to kill them all, but because the centurion wanted to save Paul (prisoners going to Caesar were to be kept safe for trial) the others were given their freedom to get to land as best they could. Once on Malta, everyone safe as Paul had foretold, they encountered poisonous vipers (28:3). But Paul was delivered from a snake-bite to the amazement of all the people (:5-6).

When things are not going well we often lose sight of the bigger picture. However, God had a plan. Paul was used by God to heal the sick on Malta. The people were so grateful after his work during a three-month stay, they assisted them along their journey with all supplies they would need to reach Rome.

Reflection:

We can learn a few lessons from Paul’s experience. He trusted God to accomplish His purposes; he believed God’s promises implicitly. He encouraged others along a very difficult journey, when he might have well felt sorry for himself. Whatever his own personal fears may have been, fear of drowning in the sea, fear of Caesar, he took advantage of every opportunity to praise God (27:35). He ministered to the spiritual and physical needs of the people around him. He adjusted to the unexpected without complaint. At a rather difficult stage in my own journey this passage of scripture has not only challenged, but comforted me. May it reassure all who read it!

by Marilyn Daniels

http://www.marilyndaniels.net

Devotional

Desperation

October 8, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

James 4:1-10

It was a strange sermon title. Desperation! In fact, the whole series was entitled “Biblical Desperation”. The pastor was right – the Bible records many acts of desperation from the time Adam and Eve hid themselves in the garden in fear that God would see their nakedness. Did they fear He would see the sin in their hearts? Not likely, but that is a story for another day.

The Lord Jesus had a woman thrown at his feet, who was caught in the act of adultery. Imagine the desperation in her heart as she faced being stoned, as according to the law, they both should have been. Where was the man and what justice would she ever find? And throughout scripture we read how God responded to different situations whether of health (Job) or wealth (Zaccheus), in ways which determined the accomplishment of His purposes.

Wrestling brought a man to trust in God after a life-time of living according to his wits. Jacob schemed to get the birthright from his brother Esau and tricked his father-in-law into giving him the best cattle, but when he faced God, he despaired of getting the answer to a simple request, until he actually fought with God. Have you ever fought with God?

The very self-sufficiency which made Jacob God’s enemy might be taught by our culture today, which recommends we remember the god within us when faced with desperate problems. They fail to admit that “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure” [desperately wicked KJV]. Jeremiah wrote that so that we could understand how we compare with Holy God (17:9).

The reality is – we cannot even resist the devil without God’s help. James gives us the solution to our problem of self-sufficiency: “Submit yourselves, then, to God”. Only once we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, can we “resist the devil” (4:7). Submission is humbling. In submitting we lose control. That is exactly where God wants us to be so He can work in and through us miracles of His grace and glory!

Reflection:

The pastor pointed out that Jacob’s encounter with God left him with a limp. Are any of us limping by the grace of God? When we have been filled with desperation God will meet us at our point of need and lift us up. (4:10). James reminds us “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives” (4:3). When we pray what are we actually asking for? Relief from a problem? More temporal stuff? Control of a situation rather than self-control? God’s Word invites us with a promise to “Come near to God and He will come near to you” (4:8). What a beautiful hope, that we may fellowship with Sovereign God who “gives grace to the humble” (4:6)! How desperate are you?

by Marilyn Daniels

http://www.marilyndaniels.net