Amen Sometimes at Christmas, a loved one should be rebuked. It can be a bad attitude, a focus on the gifts and not the giver, a meanness amidst family. There are a lot of Scriptures on conflict resolution for a reason…we sometimes have a problem getting along. Thankfully, God has the last...
Redeemer Job 19:25 Yet as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last, He will take His stand on the earth. One of the best gifts I have ever received was the gift of time with a friend experiencing great worship music. Our husbands celebrated us by joining together to...
Prince of Peace Peace, victory, and rest go together. When our enemies are defeated, we have peace if we are also at rest with our Maker. To defeat enemies and to align with God, we take refuge in the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Mediator that...
Man of Sorrows Many learned the name for Christ, Man of Sorrows, not just from the book of Isaiah but also from Handel’s Messiah. The great musical work, Messiah, includes three parts: the hope and prophecy of a Messiah, Christ’s suffering and despair, and the triumph of redemption. Messiah is an...
Lord of All There were race riots this year in Tampa. There were race riots in many places across our nation. I think riots are partly the result of pent-up anger, a sense of not being heard, a realization of oppression. Because of the race riots, I got more intentional about listening,...
Wonderful Counselor Isaiah 9:6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. My husband and I once went to a pastor for marriage counsel. I was wanting a divorce. Weirdly, we...
Lamb of God John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! In Genesis, when Abraham takes Isaac to the mountain to sacrifice to the Lord, Isaac asks his father, “where is the lamb?” The Old Testament...
King of Glory I am a child of a military man. We didn’t live by family, so our neighbors adopted us as family. I remember one Christmas when our house burned down. We were in Bloomfield, Iowa and my Dad was in Viet Nam. We watched the fire and the amazing...
I Am Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” John 8:58 Identity is so important. Some find identity in their work, oftentimes their working overtime has more to do with feeling secure than deadlines. Some find themselves in their relationships. These may endure unhealthy interactions...
Horn of Salvation “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David—…” Luke 1:68-69 Zechariah was in the midst of doing his priestly duties when he questioned God's messenger and message. I...
Holy One Psalm 29 Ascribe to the Lord, sons of the mighty, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in holy attire. The voice of the Lord is on the waters; The God of glory thunders, The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yes, the Lord breaks the...
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty Songs about God entered our home through our little boy, Samuel, singing the ones he learned at Bible Study. One of his favorites was Holy, Holy, Holy. I remember one day at the grocery, Samuel in his cowboy hat, sitting in the cart, as a...
Glory to God Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” Have you ever wanted to hear what angels say? Here it is, “Glory to God in the highest…” The angels see Him. The angels serve Him. The angels praise Him. One time...
Glorious Lord At Christmas, we play games. On Christmas Eve, after the church service, we try and get a family photo then we open a package that is PJs. When everyone is comfy in their PJs (sometimes matching), we have pizza, Christmas cookies and a variety of sodas in glass bottles...
Father of Mercy 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by...
Everlasting Father Isaiah 9:6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We will focus on Isaiah 9:6 numerous times through the celebration of Advent. This passage is where Isaiah receives...
Emmanuel In 2019, my first grandchild was born. His name is Hunter, but I do not typically get asked what his name is. Instead, people ask me what he will call me. At first, I found this question funny. It’s been over a year and all he says is hi, dog,...
Desire Of All Nations I have not traveled much out of the USA, but I have met many that have through His Body, the church. We are a people from many places and cultures. We are a diverse group. Beautiful in our need for one another. I have learned committed prayer from...
Comforter Several years back, I got an incredible Christmas bedding set. It is mainly white with touches of soft blue and a little red. It says Merry Christmas in a cool script and there are a few little birds on it. Since getting that comforter, I enjoy decorating our bedroom for...
Costly Cornerstone Isaiah 28:16 Therefore this is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed. The last phrase of this verse gets me. I sigh when I read this passage. I live in a state...
Christ When I first became aware of Psalm 2, I was fascinated by God’s understanding of people, our vain plotting and the provision of His Son in providing refuge. The Psalm helped the entire Biblical story come into clearer focus for me. It even conveys the emotional angst of God. I...
Bright Morning Star Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Let’s sing: Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are Up above the world so high Like a diamond in...
Anointed One Psalm 45:7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your companions. When you see the term “Anointed” in Scripture think about Kings. Every Israelite king, anointed by a prophet, was considered a messiah (little “m”). God made humankind in...
Ancient of Days When I turn to Psalm 90, I read the title of the section Psalm 90 is in the Psalms: Book 4, God’s eternity and the brevity of human life. Maybe this is why in God’s Word there are commands to stop and celebrate. We forget that our days...
Image of the Invisible God/First Born of All Creation Do you want to see God? Paul writing the Colossians said that all who had witnessed Jesus on earth saw God. The beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, was physically here, eating and talking with sinners. If you...
Adonai One of the most prominent names for God in the Old Testament is Adonai, meaning Lord or Master. It is a recognition of Who is truly in control, Sovereign God. There is hardly a day that goes by that I do NOT realize how little control I have. I can wish...
I am so excited that Jodie agreed to another Advent project this year! Out of all the years, I'm sure we can all agree, 2020 was a MUST for any extra fun and focus on the Savior. This year our theme is "Names of God" and we have recruited our scripting...
Light of the World John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” I hope we do lights on our houses and Christmas trees to remind one another that Jesus...
King of Kings Revelation 19:16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Christmas is meant for worship. Christmas is the answer to the Psalmist’s cry “What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that...
Messiah By Jodie Montgomery Matthew 1:16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. Messiah is the name which identifies the Psalm 2 Lord’s Anointed King who comes to justly rule the world. He is the long anticipated one, installed upon Zion, having...
Gift of God By Jodie Montgomery I enjoy giving gifts to those I love if I have an idea what the recipient would value and/or need. I like the recipient to feel really touched by my thoughtfulness, maybe even tear up as they open the gift. My selfless love sometimes rebounds. Gift...
Christmas in July By Jodie Montgomery Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Last year,...