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Dear Friends,
As life brings seasons of change, I find myself with a new and quite sudden temporary calling of the Lord—to be the Challenge 1 tutor (high school freshmen) for the second semester of the Classical Conversations program each Tuesday here in Grants Pass. Stepping into this role requires a vast amount of learning on my part, so at this point I feel I must redirect the time I take in writing devotionals to studying and reviewing subjects such as Latin, Shakespeare, rhetoric, logic, expository writing, a good number of classic novels, debate, economics, algebra, science, etc. I will miss writing Wednesday devotionals and do hope to be able to produce one a month, but I won’t be clear on this until I walk on this new path for a bit. God willing, I will resume regular writing sometime after May. Meanwhile, thank you for joining with me each Wednesday, and until we meet again, as Roy Rogers used to say, I pray God will bless you immeasurably and that your walk with Jesus will grow stronger each day. (To reread my devotionals, they are archived on my website: www.candicemarythomas.com) Candice JESUS—LIGHT OF THE WORLD “All right then, the Lord Himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14 The world had lived in darkness since The Fall of Adam and Eve which brought sin into the world. Living an eternal fate away from God our Father was unacceptable to Him, thus He began His plan of salvation. God regularly sent prophets as His messengers to guide the Israelites, the people He had chosen to bless all nations and bring people to Him through repentance, but this group displayed stiff-necked behavior, killing the prophets and going their own way.1 After the last writing prophet Malachi, died, there came a long, approximately 400 year period of silence with no word from God…that is, until the prophet John the Baptist was born who would proclaim the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Some will deny the birth of Jesus, but this denial is inaccurate not only because Jesus is mentioned in a number of historical documents including those of Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny the Younger2, but Jesus’ coming and death is foretold in over three-hundred prophecies in the Bible. Read the following extract from an article by Compass: “There are over 300 prophecies in the Bible of Jesus' first coming, all having come true. What would be the odds of just eight of these prophecies coming true? (1) Messiah to be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2) “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf." (2) Messiah betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12-13) “And I said to them, ‘If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to.’ So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter—this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord.” (3) Messiah's clothes would be gambled away. (Psalms 22:18) “They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.” (4) Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced. (Psalms 22:16) “My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet.” (5) Messiah's bones would not be broken. (Psalms 34:20) “For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!” (6) Messiah would be born in the tribe of Judah. (Isaiah 37:31) “And you who are left in Judah, who have escaped the ravages of the siege, will put roots down in your own soil and grow up and flourish.” (7) Messiah would be called from Egypt. (Hosea 11:1) “When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” (8) Messiah would be buried in a rich man's grave. (Isaiah 53:9) “His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth.” The odds of all eight coming true are virtually incomprehensible! Consider this illustration- Suppose we filled the entire State of Texas with 100 trillion silver dollars. That would make the entire state about two feet deep in coins. Then we mark only one coin. Next we stir-up the state full of coins so they are thoroughly mixed and random. The marked coin could be anywhere in the state in the two foot deep coins. Finally we blindfold a man and let him travel the entire state to choose one random coin. What would be the odds of him finding the marked coin in one try? He would have the same chance the prophets had for those eight prophecies being fulfilled. Which is virtually no chance. But that was only eight of the over 300 prophecies! Figuring the odds of fulfilling all 300 Bible prophecies is ridiculously astronomical. Simply incalculable-- except that the real author of these prophecies knew the future. The God Who created the universe out of nothing was in total control and knows the past, present AND future."Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." Isaiah 42:9 3 And so came Jesus into the world, as prophesized many times over, bringing light into the darkness. Join with me and let your heart delight in John the apostle’s words: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The One who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John testified about Him when he shouted to the crowds, ‘This is the one I was talking about when I said Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before me.’ From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.” John 1:1-18 This Christmas season, let us rejoice because Jesus is our true light, the One who guides us out of darkness to an eternal home with His Father; and let joy overwhelm us as we celebrate the birth of our Messiah Jesus, Savior and King! “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 VERSES: Psalm 18:28 “For it is You who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.” Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Ephesians 1:16-21 (Paul) “I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.” PRAYER: Dear Father, I long to worship you in spirit and truth each day, but especially to honor You during this Christmas season which brings to focus all You have done for me, leading me from eternal death to eternal life. Let me see and understand the truths of Your Son’s life: As Jesus was so humbly born, help me to humbly live; as Jesus lived in total obedience to You, help me to so live in obedience; and as Jesus loved and honored You in all His words and actions, help me to love and honor you in all I do and say. I realize I can do nothing in my own power, but only through the power of Your Holy Spirit living within me. Please make Him mighty in me to accomplish Your will in my life, and may I praise Your Name forever! 1. See Exodus 33:3; Deuteronomy 9:13; Nehemiah 9:16; Acts 7:51 2. https://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-exist.html 3. https://compass.org/article-silver-dollars-all-over-texas/ SONGS: “Jesus, Light of the World”—Third Day The most beautiful night of the year All the stars light up the sky And the city is sparkling with silver and gold From a million points of light A reflection of something that's deeper within Just a flicker of something more Jesus, light of the world Shine through the darkness, bright as the day Jesus, light of the world Shine in our hearts, show us the way tonight Who is this Child in a manger? Kings bow down and angels sing The Lord of the Universe Has come here to save us, a precious offering All the heavens above and the earth below Are filled with the light of Your love Jesus, light of the world Shine through the darkness, bright as the day Jesus, light of the world Shine in our hearts, show us the way tonight Jesus, light of the world Shine through the darkness, bright as the day Jesus, light of the world Shine in our hearts, show us the way Jesus, shine, shine Show us the way, light of the world Shine in our hearts, show us the way tonight Oh, show us the way tonight Show us the way tonight Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Brad Avery / David Carr / Mac Powell / Mark Lee / Tai Anderson Jesus, Light of the World lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. “Light of the World”—Lauren Daigle The world waits for a miracle The heart longs for a little bit of hope Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel A child prays for peace on Earth And she's calling out from a sea of hurt Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel And can you hear the angels singing Glory to the light of the world Glory, the light of the world is here The drought breaks with the tears of a mother A baby's cry is the sound of love Come down, come down, Emmanuel He is the song for the suffering He is Messiah, the Prince of Peace has come He has come, Emmanuel Glory to the light of the world Glory to the light of the world Glory to the light of the world Glory to the light of the world For all who wait For all who hunger For all who've prayed For all who wonder Behold your King Behold Messiah Emmanuel, Emmanuel Glo-glory to the light of the world Glory to the light of the world Glory to the light of the world Behold your King Behold Messiah Emmanuel, Emmanuel The world waits for the miracle The heart longs for a little bit of hope Oh come, oh come Emmanuel Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Lauren Daigle / Paul Duncan / Paul Mabury Light Of The World lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! “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” (from Joy to the Word—Isaac Watts) 1 It was in 1719 when the English Christian minister, Isaac Watts, published The Psalms of David, which included one of our favorite songs, “Joy to the World.” 2 Though we merrily sing this every Christmas, the song was originally written to celebrate the joy that will occur with the second coming of Christ with the wise advice that every heart should be made ready for that wondrous event. How true it is that our hearts always need to be prepared for Jesus’ coming—the celebration of His first, and the expectation of His second. As this year’s Christmas season is in full sway, with decorating, cookie baking, and the delight of presents being purchased, let us take at least some time each day to focus on truly preparing our hearts for God’s greatest gift, freely offered and freely given—His Son. Let us also focus on how we can do this with a joy greater than any other this season. Some thoughts: GIVE GOD OUR GRATITUDE: Upon waking each morning, let us thank our Father for giving us a new day of life. With thankfulness, let us remember that God gave us life for a reason—to glorify Him through our daily speech and activities. With joy, let us honor others as He would have us do. We can remind ourselves that this is a personal and sometimes sacrificial gift of ourselves to our Father that we especially want to remember and practice this Christmas season. HONOR GOD THROUGH PRAYER: God gave us life because He wants us to spend eternity with Him! Let us then joyfully prepare for Jesus’ coming by praying to Him in the mornings as we awaken. Perhaps a prayer could be, “Bless You, Father, for a giving me this new day in which to praise You for Your plan of salvation. Thank You for Christmas and the joy of remembering the beginning of the fulfillment of Your prophecy to Eve: (God to Satan) “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.” Genesis 3:12-16 Thus we have the incarnation—Jesus, the second person of the trinity, who became human in His birth as a human baby in Bethlehem, again as prophesized: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” Micah 5:2 REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF A REPENTANT HEART: Let us honor God above all things, knowing that when we are His, when we repent of our sins, He promises…“I will give them hearts that recognize Me as the Lord. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me wholeheartedly.” Jeremiah 24:7 What a joy--to know we belong to God! PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME: To me, there’s nothing like beautiful Christmas hymns to elevate my heart in praising God for His Son, Jesus. As you listen to Christmas music this year, may your heart be once more focused on upon our Savior Jesus, God, born in a manger to teach mankind the true meaning of humility and self-sacrifice because of His overwhelming love for others. Let us never forget all Jesus went through in giving His life for us; let us forever thank Him with heartfelt sincerity. SONGS to Lift Your Hearts: “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne. By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Charles Wesley / R. H. Pritchard / Tom Howard Come Thou Long Expected Jesus lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, DistroKid, Integrity Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc “Angels We have Heard on High” Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Angels we have heard on high Sweetly, sweetly through the night And the mountains in reply Echoing their brief delight Gloria, in excelsis Deo Gloria, in excelsis Deo Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria, in excelsis Deo Gloria, in excelsis Deo Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing, Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria, in excelsis Deo Gloria, in excelsis Deo Yeah Gloria, in excelsis Deo Angels we have heard Angels we have heard on high Angels we have heard, oh Angels we have heard on high Angels we have heard on high Angels we have heard on high In excelsis Deo Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Benjamin Allan Bram / Kevin Olusola / Scott Hoying / Traditional Angels We Have Heard on High lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC “Breath of Heaven” I have traveled many moonless nights Cold and weary with a babe inside And I wonder what I've done Holy father you have come And chosen me now to carry your son I am waiting in a silent prayer I am frightened by the load I bear In a world as cold as stone Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now Be with me now Breath of heaven Hold me together Be forever near me Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Lighten my darkness Pour over me your holiness For you are holy Breath of heaven Do you wonder as you watch my face If a wiser one should have had my place But I offer all I am For the mercy of your plan Help me be strong Help me be Help me Breath of heaven Hold me together Be forever near me Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Lighten my darkness Pour over me your holiness For you are holy Breath of heaven Hold me together Be forever near me Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Lighten my darkness Pour over me your holiness For you are holy Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Amy Lee Grant / Chris Eaton Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Music Services, Inc “Mary, Did You Know?” Mary did you know That your baby boy will one day walk on water? Mary did you know That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know That your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered Will soon deliver you Mary did you know That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand? Did you know That your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby You've kissed the face of God Mary, did you know? The blind will see The deaf will hear And the dead will live again The lame will leap The dumb will speak The praises of the Lamb Mary did you know That your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know That your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? This sleeping child you're holding Is the Great I Am Oh, Mary, did you know? Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP Songwriters Mark Lowry, Music by Buddy Greene Published by © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP VERSES: Luke 2:8-12 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:20 “The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Colossians 3:16 “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” PRAYER: Dear Father, in the midst of my preparing for Christmas Day and the celebration of Your Son Jesus’ birth, help me not to become so caught up in cultural festivities that I neglect to spend personal time with You reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas—the fulfillment of Your promise to send mankind a Savior who would crush Satan and the evil in this world. Without Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, let me never forget I would have nothing to celebrate this season. Please, Father God, help me year after year to become more like Your Son, giving my all for the sake of leading others to Your doorstep and salvation in Christ. May my life and the lives of all Christians become gifts we give back to You! DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! 1.https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=joy+to+the+world+lyrics 2.https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/joy-to-the-world-hymn-carol-lyrics-composer/ |
Author Candice Mary Thomas writes about loving God and loving people! Coming to Christ at age 32 and now in her 70's, Candice knows what a difference it makes living with or without Christ as one's personal Savior. Archives
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