Where is Hope Found?

Spiritual Vitamin: "You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word." Psalm 119:114 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is in the LORD." Jeremiah 17:7

Challenge: As you transition to the new year, where will you place your hope? To be without hope is a dangerous place to be. We can hope in a lot of things....we can hope that COVID is better. We can hope that we are financially stable. We can hope for a new home. But true hope is found in God. Will you hope in Him today for 2021?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that You are my hiding place and my shield. Show me today what that feels like to trust You and be covered by You. Help me hope in your word. Help me to trust in You and place my hope in You for 2021. I need You, God. Amen. 

Peace

Spiritual Vitamin: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Challenge: What keeps you from experiencing God's perfect peace? Are the circumstances of your life affecting you? Pray for a greater measure of God's peace. 

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this beautiful promise of John 14:27. To think that You give a very different kind of peace than the world gives. I'm so tempted to look at what will make me happy. But, Lord, You know that we can get everything we want and still lack peace! God, do not let me heart be troubled today. Help me not be afraid. Help me trust in You for this day. Thank you for your peace. Amen.

Contrite and Lowly of Spirit

Spiritual Vitamins: "For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, 'I dwell on a high and holy place. And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the hearts of the contrite.'" Isaiah 57:15

Challenge: God identifies Himself as the great and exalted One Who lives forever and Whose name is Holy.  He is always present with each of His own. He is close to those who are crushed in spirit. It is only those who are contrite of heart and lowly of spirit who will be revived by the Lord. Place your faith in His grace and mercy by trusting in God. (Knowing Jesus Commentary on Isaiah 57:15)

Prayer: Dear God, I'm so amazed that you have stooped to save and comfort me and dwell within my heart by faith. Lord, I desire to have a contrite and lowly spirit. Help me walk humbly before You and give me courage to walk by faith. Amen.

Shepherds and Humility

Spiritual Vitamin: "You must have the same attitude that Jesus Christ had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges, he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross." Philippians 2:5-8

Challenge: The shepherds were the least likely people to be included in the Christmas story. In fact, they would be the ones who would feel excluded. Shepherds were seen as outcasts of their day and were ceremonially unclean. Yet, it was the shepherds that were front and center in the Christmas story. God chose the unpopular shepherds to see Jesus first and tell others. Have you ever felt rejected? Outcast? Less than? Celebrate today that God came for all of us. Let's be like the Shepherds and never get over Christmas.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for sending your son Jesus. He gave up his divine privileges and took the position of a slave and was born a human being. Thank you that you choose to humble yourself! Thank you for the shepherds in the Christmas story. You used those unpopular shepherds to tell others about Jesus. Thank You! Amen. 

Come and See!

Spiritual Vitamin: "Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man... Come and hear... and I will tell what he has done for my soul." Psalm 66:5,16

Challenge: How has Jesus, the baby born in a manger, been the strength in your life when your best thinking and power have proved insufficient? Come and see what God has done! Take time to write in your prayer journal what God has done through his Son Jesus. Celebrate!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for sending your Son, Jesus. Help me open my eyes and see all around me all that you ave done! You are awesome in your deeds! Help me tell others what you have done for my soul. Amen.

The Shepherds

 Spiritual Vitamin: 'When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child." Luke 2:17

Challenge: Why do you think God announced Jesus' birth to some of the lowliest members of society?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for letting the shepherds know about the good news of Jesus' birth and sending them to meet Him.  You made it clear that no one was outside your love! The Messiah came for everyone! You wanted the Shepherds to know the good news about Jesus' work of salvation. Thank you so much for Jesus' birth and thank you for using the Shepherds to spread the word! Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Spiritual Vitamin: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotton Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,  but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Challenge: Take time today to read the Christmas story in Luke 2:9-14. Picture yourself in the story. What do you see? Hear? Feel? Smell? How will this story change you in the coming year?

Prayer: Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen. (By Robert Louis Stevenson)

Immanuel!

Spiritual Vitamin: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him 'Immanuel.'" Isaiah 7:14

Challenge: To think that all that majesty chose to become intimately acquainted with us by humbly coming in a human body to dwell among us! Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy because he was literally "God with us". He was fully human and fully God. In Jesus, God walked with us and talked with us as He did with Adam and Eve. Our Immanuel is always with us and will be with us forever. How does this change how you live your life?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the prophecy in Isaiah and that Jesus fulfilled it! You are "God with us." Thank you for the miracle of the Son of God becoming a human and making His home among us so that He could reveal God to us. Lord, I celebrate you being Immanuel today! Amen.

Joy to the World

Spiritual Vitamin: "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." Isaac Watts

Challenge: The good news of Jesus birth has the power to bring us great joy this season. Our joy isn't dependent upon what gifts are or aren't under the tree. Our joy isn't dependent upon how many family members show up for Christmas. There is no earthly gift or thing that can ever give us true joy outside Christ. Let your heart prepare room for him this Christmas! Join with heaven and nature and sing to the top of your lungs: Jesus is born!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the carols at Christmas, particularly, Joy to the World! It's an invitation to invite my heart to prepare room for Jesus. It's an invitation to join with all heaven and sing. Lord, truly this is a time to worship You and celebrate the Christ child. May I do that today! Amen.

The Best Gift

Spiritual Vitamin: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Challenge: Christmas is a few days away and it's so easy to make the focus on gifts, buying gifts and getting gifts. The tradition of giving gifts is a wonderful tradition. Today, would you turn your attention to the best gift of Christmas? God's gift of Jesus came in the most humbling of wrappings. Jesus was not born in a palace, but in a manger, a feeding trough. God gave to us Jesus, a great sacrifice to humanity! Through Him, we can enjoy the gift of eternal life. Will you consider this most amazing gift of God's Son, Jesus?

Prayer: Dear God, We're so grateful for this week of Christmas. In the midst of the wrapping and giving and wonder of the holiday season, can we turn our hearts and minds on you, Jesus? You are the very best gift we could ever receive. So often, we just miss this at Christmas. Today, let me focus on Jesus and the amazing gift of eternal life that we can have through Christ. Amen.

Unto Us a Child is Born

Spiritual Vitamin: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Challenge: What's in a name? The Messiah was given 4 amazing names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Meditate on these beautiful descriptions of Jesus. What comes to your mind as you pause and take in these descriptions?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this amazing prophecy which came to be! I'm so grateful that the Messiah embodies these beautiful descriptions. Jesus is a counselor. He is mighty. He is my perfect Father. He is Prince of Peace. During this time where peace can feel like it's a distant thought, we ask that You would be our perfect peace. Amen.

Joy to the World

Spiritual Vitamin: Joy to the World; the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king! Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing.  Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse if found. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove. The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of his love." Isaac Watts

Challenge: This popular Christmas Carol comes to us reflects the following scriptures: Psalm 96: 11-12, Genesis 3:17-18, and Psalm 98. Read through the scriptures. Then make note what words describe the character of our God. Think about the hymn. Consider the words your'e singing. What did you learn?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this beautiful carol that speaks to the joy of you coming to the world. We worship you today and we too, want to repeat the sounding joy! Lord, you rule the world with truth and grace! In the midst of our worries and anxieties of this life, help us find peace in knowing that you rule! Amen.

The Shepherds

Spiritual Vitamin: "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who were lying in the manger." 

Challenge: God gave through the angels the birth announcement to the lowly shepherds on the hillside! In their excitement they hurried off to Bethlehem to see the miracle of the Messiah! Did you know  that the bible describes us humans as sheep? Check out Psalm 100:3, Isaiah 53:6 and Matthew 9:36. We are stubborn sheep always wanting to go our own way. Take a moment and thank God for choosing to lay down His life for his sheep, of which we're one.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the Shepherds in the Christmas story! Thank you for using lowly shepherds on the hillside to see your miracle, the Messiah! Lord, you are the good shepherd! We are your sheep. Please help me follow you as my shepherd. Amen.

The Magnificat

Spiritual Vitamin: "And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name." Luke 1:46-49

Challenge: Have you considered following Mary's story, the mother of Jesus? Her actions throughout this season of giving birth to Jesus were exemplary. She glorified God in song for what You were going to do for the world through her. Mary said 'yes' to bearing the Christ child. She refused to take credit for what God had done. How will you model Mary's attitude in your life?

Prayer: Dear God, Teach me to praise you in my life and circumstances. Thank you so much for Mary who modeled such a way of life. She humbled herself and said 'yes' to You. Lord, teach me this way of life...humility. Amen.

Wise Men Worship!

Spiritual Vitamin: "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:10-11

Challenge: The wise men gave these expensive gifts because they were worthy presents for a king. They worshiped Jesus for who He was and was willing to give him something valuable to them. Lord, the wise men came to worship! Pray today that you would worship the Messiah this Christmas with your time, your words, your actions and your resources.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the Christmas story and the wise men. They worshiped you with their treasures that were costly! Lord, help me to do the same. Amen.

Shepherd's Perspective

Spiritual Vitamin: "But the angel said to then, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in clothed and lying in a manger.'" (Luke 2:10-12)

Challenge: What do you think it would have been like to be a shepherd that night? Suddenly a flash of radiant light appeared in the darkness, momentarily blinding the shepherds. The angel of the Lord appears and the glory of the Lord was all around them. The angel knew...of course, they'd be afraid. But, the shepherds searched fro Mary, Joseph and the baby and found them, the baby lying in the manger. What would you have done if you were a shepherd at that moment? This Christmas, let's give our fears over to God and rest in His peace.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this part of the story, hearing the story from the shepherds' perspective. It would have been magical, yet very real. I have a feeling I would have been very afraid when I saw that radiant light. Yet, God, You were so present and ready to explain what was about to happen and what they were to do. Lord, may I, like the shepherds, search for you with all my heart. I know I will be found by you. (Jeremiah 29:14) Amen.

Joseph's response

Spiritual Vitamin: "And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus." Matthew 1:24-25

Challenge: God interrupts Joseph's original plans by sending an angel in a dream. He lets Joseph in on the good news that Mary will bear a child conceived by the Holy Spirit. How would you respond if you were Joseph? He was just told he had been chosen to be His Son's earthly father! Joseph chose to believe God. He set aside his own logic and what others might thing or tell him to do. He chose faith over his feelings and surrendered his life to God. Will you chose faith over your feelings?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for Joseph in the Christmas story. We often think of Mary, but very rarely do we consider what Joseph must have been going through. Thank you that he chose to believe the angel and surrender His life to God. Lord, please help me to follow by surrendering my life to you each day. Amen.

Jesus, Light of the World

Spiritual Vitamin: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." (John 1:5)

Challenge: Christmas is such a good reminder that no matter how dark it may feel, there is always a light to be found in Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world. Consider the last verse of the carol "Silent Night:" "Silent night, holy night. Son of God, oh, love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face. With the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. Jesus, Lord at Thy birth." May Jesus's light live through You today!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for being the light of the world. Lord, there is so much darkness all around me! Help me not to be drawn into the darkness, but live in the light, which is in Christ. Thank you that Christmas is such a beautiful reminder of the light You bring. Amen.

Mary, A Servant

Spiritual Vitamin: "And Mary said "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her." Luke 1:38

Challenge: Consider being in Mary's position. How would you have responded to the angel Gabriel coming to you with the news of being the one to bear the Christ Child? Mary responded that she was a servant. The word actually means bond-servant. It has the idea of complete submission. She truly wanted to follow God with sincerity. Keep in mind that Mary was a young woman around 14 years old! She was willing to embrace shame and suffering for saying "yes" to God.

Prayer: Dear God, There's so much about Mary I love! She responded to the angel with such a beautiful humility and submission. She wanted what You wanted God. She was your servant and was willing to embrace the suffering and shame that this choice might bring on. God, teach me from Mary's example. In the midst of this challenging season, help me be willing to follow you, no matter what! Amen.

Take Courage!

Spiritual Vitamin: "In this world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world." John 16:33

Challenge: COVID has affected all of us. It's so easy to worry about the things that concern us. We can struggle with anxiety, worry and fear. Instead, you desire for us to live free from all fear, deeply rooted in the victory of God won through Christ. Today, would you really believe Jesus' words? Take courage. Jesus has conquered the world. Take time to slow down and enjoy the true reason for the season.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for your words of comfort. We don't have to fear! Jesus has conquered the world. Thank you Lord, that You give direction and guidance for what to do with our anxiety and worry. Help us to take courage. Your courage. Help me give thanks to You, knowing that you are the One who gives true peace. Amen.

Pondering These Things

Spiritual Vitamin: "But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be." Luke 1:29

Challenge: The angel, Gabriel, had just told Mary that she was highly favored and that the Lord was with her. The fact that Mary was troubled at his words shows her humility. Mary was surprised to hear such words about her. Mary needed to ponder these things in her heart. Did you get that? In the midst of this busy time, are you taking time to be calm and quiet? Advent invites us to resist the busyness and listen and reflect upon the Word of God. Read Luke Chapter 1 several times. Take at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted time with God. Be present to God.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the Biblical text today, showing Mary's response to the angel Gabriel. I'm so grateful for Mary's response, one of humility and submissiveness. Thank you for this obvious need I have to be still and be present with you. I need You God and I'm so thankful that Mary took time with You. May I do the same. Amen.

Messiah- A New Shoot

Spiritual Vitamin: "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the lord will rest on him- the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord- and he will delight in the fear of the Lord." Isiah 11:1-3

Challenge: This is a prophecy from Isaiah. Judah would be like a tree chopped down to a stump but from that stump a new shoot would grow- Messiah. Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promises! In this prophesy, we should see God's perfect love for his broken, fallen people and their need for a Savior.  It was through God's love and compassion, He set in motion the perfect plan to save the world by sending His Son. Do You comprehend His perfect love for you? May it cause you to worship Him today!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the prophesies which spoke clearly of You coming. Thank you so much that you would be like a tree chopped down to a stump. It's a reminder when I see a stump, to remember that the new shoot that would come was the Messiah! Jesus, thank you for coming to deal with our sin problem. I'm so grateful today for God's love and compassion for setting in motion this perfect redemptive plan. Thank you! Amen.

A Child is Born!

Spiritual Vitamin: "A child is born to us! A Son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, "Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," "Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

Challenge: Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be a man. A child had to be born! There is nothing more weaker, more helpless, and more dependent than a child. Jesus fully identified with humanity and displayed his life as a servant. Consider the 4 names He would be called. Which name speakers most to your need today?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for Isaiah speaking of your coming in the book of Isaiah. He prophesied that a child would be born to us. It's just amazing to think that before Jesus' birth, many new He would come. Names are so important and I thank you for each of these names and how it represents Jesus. Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Eternal Father. Prince of Peace. I pause and meditate on each name and thank you for coming as our Messiah! Amen.

All is Calm, All is Bright

Spiritual Vitamin: "When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, "Get up, " he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." Matthew 2:13

Challenge: Consider the words of the Christmas song, "Silent Night" and the words "All is calm, all is bright." It's hard to actually experience those words these days, right? Jesus' birth was anything but clam, with earthly powers being outraged by the birth of the newborn king. Today, remember that peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God in the midst of chaos. You are with us in these challenges! May today be a day where you experience His peace and calm.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for navigating through such perilous times to allow your Son, Jesus, to enter this word. So much was going on in the world during those days, yet God made a way for You to come. We're so grateful for sending your Son to this earth so we could experience a Saviour! Help me today to walk in peace and calm. Only You can do that, Lord. So many things occupy my mind. It's only You that can give true peace. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Great joy!

Spiritual Vitamin: '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

Challenge: COVID has the potential to steal our joy this Christmas. The tidings you brought were both wonderful and amazing and needed a "behold" to excite our attention! This is good news. Very good news. This news produces great joy. Can you lift your eyes from the circumstances of today and enjoy the great joy that Jesus came to give?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this great Christmas message from the angel. Thank you for the good tidings of great joy that you give to all people. Yet, it's up to us to accept the gift of Jesus in our hearts. Thank you for being my Savior. Amen.

Immanuel

Spiritual Vitamin: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel- which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

Challenge: Jesus was to be called Immanuel, which means God with us. Isaiah, the prophet prophesied this is Isaiah 7:14. Jesus was literally God in the flesh and dwelt among us. Do you understand how far-reaching the meaning of Immanuel is? God is always WITH us. No matter what you are going through today, rejoice that God's loving hand is always there, guiding, caring and comforting you.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this beautiful time of the year where we celebrate you sending your son to the earth! Immanuel, God with us! I'm so grateful that you are not against us or beyond us or far from us, but with us. Please help me to recognize and live in light of your constant presence. Amen.

Unexpected News

Spiritual Vitamin: "In those days, Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, and entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb!... For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled." Luke 1:39-24, 44-45

Challenge: How do you handle unexpected news? (someone sick, a job loss, a challenge, an accident, etc) Would you be open to accept news that would suddenly and radically change your life? Mary models for us a spirit of submission and obedience. Will you respond like Mary with your unexpected news?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for Mary's response to being chosen as the mother of the long-awaited Messiah, despite the fact she was a virgin. Lord, thank you for her humble and submissive response. Because she said "yes" in her unexpected news, You used her to change the world through sending Jesus to the world. Thank you! Amen.

To Us a Child is Given

Spiritual Vitamin: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever." Isaiah 6:7

Challenge: Did you notice the words "for to us a child is born, to us a son is given..." God is a personal God and He had a wonderful plan for the sin problem of humans. Can you comprehend his grace to US? Meditate on this verse and pause to be in awe and wonder at the power of Jesus.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to this earth for US! I'm so grateful for the gift of your Son, Jesus, the greatest gift of all! I stand amazed at what you did! I worship You today and give you praise for sending your son to us! Amen.

Joseph

Spiritual Vitamin: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)

Challenge: Have you ever placed yourself in Joseph's shoes? What would it have been like to hear this news from God? How would you have responded? Consider the responsibility that Joseph must have felt in this journey, yet He knew that God was with him. Even despite his obvious fears, God told him not to be afraid. What are you afraid of? Allow God to comfort you with his peace. Do not be afraid.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for Joseph and how you used him to be a part of your plan for all eternity! Thank you for reminding him not to be afraid. Here we are during this COVID season and there is a tendency to BE afraid. God, thank you for walking with Mary and Joseph through this season that changed the world. Help me to trust you in those things I can't control. Amen.

How Can I Be Sure?

Spiritual Vitamin: "Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.'" (Luke 1:18)

Challenge: When told Zechariah would have a son, he doubted the angel. Even though Zechariah and Elizabeth were beyond the childbearing years, God gave them a child. How have you doubted or misunderstood what God wanted to do in your life? Don't confine God's power to your own narrow perspective. God is God! Trust Him for what you don't see.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this Christmas season. I totally connect with Zechariah with his question for the angel..."How can I be sure of this?" Wow, Lord, how often do I lack faith and fail to trust You for my life. Please use this amazing story of Zechariah to remind me that You are able to do anything. Help me trust You today. Amen.

Making Room

Spiritual Vitamin: "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:6-7

Challenge: What will keep you from getting distracted by all the holiday festivities this year? We can get so busy, even with COVID, focusing on everything but the true meaning of Christmas. Today is the first day of December! Make room for Jesus in your heart each day leading to Christmas. You will be blessed!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for sending your son, Jesus. What a magical time of the year to remember your gift, the greatest gift, Jesus. I picture what it must have been like to be there at your birth with no guest room available for the Christ child. Lord, Please help me make room in my heart for you today and each day. Amen.