Return to flip book view

Daily DevotionalDaily Devotional

Daily DevotionalDaily Devotional

hopehopepeacepeacelovelove66joyjoy222214143030Wh at What ExpectExpectChristmas is a time of year that evokes many great memories. It’s a time of year associated with jolly gatherings, giving, and special family moments. This year at Johnson Ferry, we want to intentionally move our focus onto the heart of God and the meaning of Christmas through the tradition of Advent. Together, we will pause each day to read Scripture and think through the gis of hope, peace, joy, and love that we have been given in Christ. On each Sunday of Advent, we want to invite you to take a longer pause and light the Advent candles to signify that Christ is truly the Light of the World. Through the birth of the long awaited Messiah, hope had taken on flesh. In celebrating Advent, we join countless others throughout the centuries to rejoice on that blessed morning. For the next 25 days, let us journey together. Let us remember and celebrate that God kept His promise He made long ago. merry christmas jf family!merry christmas jf family!tabletable contentscontents of of to to

hopehopepeacepeacelovelove66joyjoy222214143030Wh at What ExpectExpectChristmas is a time of year that evokes many great memories. It’s a time of year associated with jolly gatherings, giving, and special family moments. This year at Johnson Ferry, we want to intentionally move our focus onto the heart of God and the meaning of Christmas through the tradition of Advent. Together, we will pause each day to read Scripture and think through the gis of hope, peace, joy, and love that we have been given in Christ. On each Sunday of Advent, we want to invite you to take a longer pause and light the Advent candles to signify that Christ is truly the Light of the World. Through the birth of the long awaited Messiah, hope had taken on flesh. In celebrating Advent, we join countless others throughout the centuries to rejoice on that blessed morning. For the next 25 days, let us journey together. Let us remember and celebrate that God kept His promise He made long ago. merry christmas jf family!merry christmas jf family!tabletable contentscontents of of to to

7777day 1:day 1: hope is on the way hope is on the way“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”Micah 7:7On this first Sunday of Advent, we focus on hope. Like the candle you are about to light, hope carries a sense of promised relief from the darkness around us. The prophets of the Old Testament saw the darkness of the world they lived in and their great need to be saved from this encroaching obscurity. They saw the brokenness of humanity and only a miracle from God could fix the deep-seated sin in our hearts. Through these prophets, God promised that salvation would come. While they did not know when, what, or how, they found assurance in knowing that they were seen by God. He heard their cries, and help was on the way.This week of Advent is about lighting the first candle, breaking the darkness, and remembering that God sees us, loves us, and meets us in our helplessness.lighting of the hope candle lighting of the hope candle Set up your Advent candles and read Isaiah 9:6-7. Light one of the skinny white candles, and pray, thanking God that He is the source of all hope.Written by Adrian Coetzer

7777day 1:day 1: hope is on the way hope is on the way“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”Micah 7:7On this first Sunday of Advent, we focus on hope. Like the candle you are about to light, hope carries a sense of promised relief from the darkness around us. The prophets of the Old Testament saw the darkness of the world they lived in and their great need to be saved from this encroaching obscurity. They saw the brokenness of humanity and only a miracle from God could fix the deep-seated sin in our hearts. Through these prophets, God promised that salvation would come. While they did not know when, what, or how, they found assurance in knowing that they were seen by God. He heard their cries, and help was on the way.This week of Advent is about lighting the first candle, breaking the darkness, and remembering that God sees us, loves us, and meets us in our helplessness.lighting of the hope candle lighting of the hope candle Set up your Advent candles and read Isaiah 9:6-7. Light one of the skinny white candles, and pray, thanking God that He is the source of all hope.Written by Adrian Coetzer

9988day 2:day 2: guiding hopeguiding hope“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”- Psalm 25:5What do most people put their hope in all day long? Parents sometimes put their hope in a job or money. Kids might put their hope in their own skills or being popular, but none of these things are very secure. Using the word as a feeling is not very strong either. I hope I’m successful. I hope I make good grades. Hope as a feeling is no better than wishing on a star. No, hope needs to be firm and secure like an anchor. What can we learn from this verse about our hope in God? When you trust God as your hope, you then learn from Him and know His ways. We can do that by knowing the Bible. There are five ways to know the Bible. Think about your hand and your five fingers; each finger represents a way to learn about God. Doing these five things will give you hope like an anchor.1. 1. Listen to the Bible2. 2. Read the Bible3. 3. Study the Bible 4. 4. Memorize Bible Verses5. 5. Apply it to Your LifeTake it one verse at a time! As a family, use this method with our theme verse. How can this verse make Christmas more meaningful?Written by Lynn Wilkerson99day 3:day 3: god will make a waygod will make a way “And I will make enemies of you and the woman, and of your ospring and her descendant; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15 Today’s verse is an excerpt from the climatic ending of one of the most famous stories in all of Scripture: the fall of man. You remember the narrative; Adam and Eve encounter the serpent who challenged God’s authority, ultimately convincing them to disobey the one instruction God had given them. Immediately they experience shame, embarrassment, and fear. There, the two Imago Dei—the only beings in all creation that hosted the image of God—were now covered in shame as they crouched and hid from God. As God engages Adam, then Eve, then the serpent, we see a glimpse into His paradigm and character. God curses the serpent to crawl on his belly and eat dust (v. 14), and God covers Adam and Eve’s shame (v. 21). The serpent (Satan) desired Adam and Eve to believe he had won, that they were powerless to ever know anything but death and defeat, but here we see God turn all these expectations upside down. The arrogant serpent was made to crouch and crawl while the precious Imago Dei had their shame sacrificially covered. The story isn’t over, serpent. One day, a descendant of this woman will strike a fatal blow to your head. Though death and sorrow will seem to reign, though the serpent will strike, though the eects of sin will saturate, it will not stay this way. God would make a way to satisfy the death our sin demands, and He will crush the author of sin and shame forever.Written by Kristen Carr

9988day 2:day 2: guiding hopeguiding hope“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”- Psalm 25:5What do most people put their hope in all day long? Parents sometimes put their hope in a job or money. Kids might put their hope in their own skills or being popular, but none of these things are very secure. Using the word as a feeling is not very strong either. I hope I’m successful. I hope I make good grades. Hope as a feeling is no better than wishing on a star. No, hope needs to be firm and secure like an anchor. What can we learn from this verse about our hope in God? When you trust God as your hope, you then learn from Him and know His ways. We can do that by knowing the Bible. There are five ways to know the Bible. Think about your hand and your five fingers; each finger represents a way to learn about God. Doing these five things will give you hope like an anchor.1. 1. Listen to the Bible2. 2. Read the Bible3. 3. Study the Bible 4. 4. Memorize Bible Verses5. 5. Apply it to Your LifeTake it one verse at a time! As a family, use this method with our theme verse. How can this verse make Christmas more meaningful?Written by Lynn Wilkerson99day 3:day 3: god will make a waygod will make a way “And I will make enemies of you and the woman, and of your ospring and her descendant; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15 Today’s verse is an excerpt from the climatic ending of one of the most famous stories in all of Scripture: the fall of man. You remember the narrative; Adam and Eve encounter the serpent who challenged God’s authority, ultimately convincing them to disobey the one instruction God had given them. Immediately they experience shame, embarrassment, and fear. There, the two Imago Dei—the only beings in all creation that hosted the image of God—were now covered in shame as they crouched and hid from God. As God engages Adam, then Eve, then the serpent, we see a glimpse into His paradigm and character. God curses the serpent to crawl on his belly and eat dust (v. 14), and God covers Adam and Eve’s shame (v. 21). The serpent (Satan) desired Adam and Eve to believe he had won, that they were powerless to ever know anything but death and defeat, but here we see God turn all these expectations upside down. The arrogant serpent was made to crouch and crawl while the precious Imago Dei had their shame sacrificially covered. The story isn’t over, serpent. One day, a descendant of this woman will strike a fatal blow to your head. Though death and sorrow will seem to reign, though the serpent will strike, though the eects of sin will saturate, it will not stay this way. God would make a way to satisfy the death our sin demands, and He will crush the author of sin and shame forever.Written by Kristen Carr

11111010day 4:day 4: a hopeful covenant a hopeful covenant“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and He will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.”- Malachi 3:1Malachi was a prophet living in a dark time in Israel’s history, aer the Babylonian captivity and prior to the 400 years of silence. Israel was rebuilding as a people, but they were a shadow of what they had been.The word most used in the book of Malachi is covenant. A covenant was an obligation between two non-relatives, stated as a promise or an oath. God had made a covenant with Israel; He promised His people a messiah, but it was a distant promise that required them to have faith that looked forward. We call that hope.Malachi was foreshadowing John the Baptist, who would be “more than a prophet” (Matt. 11:10) because he would announce the consummation of Israel’s hope: the arrival of the Messiah. We live on the other side of the cross, and our faith looks both backwards at Jesus’s death and resurrection and forward to the hope of His return to establish our eternal home. Pray about who or what your hope is in today, even if you are in a dark place, and God’s promises feel distant. Pray for your hope in Jesus to be refreshed.Written by David Anderson1111day 5:day 5: a sacred exchange a sacred exchange“...to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”- Isaiah 61:3What do you put your hope in? Reading a devotion like this, you may respond quickly with Jesus. However, I want you to take a moment to really think about it. Where is your hope? Is it in your savings account? Is it in your next vacation or escape? Is it in a new relationship? Is it in a longstanding relationship? I ask those questions not with accusation but confession. I have found my hopes oen hung upon each of those things in my life. On an intellectual level, I know this is folly, but my heart is stubborn, and my flesh is weak. So oen the root of our sin is a distrust of God and a self-seeking pride. We trade our hope in a worthy God for the trinkets of tangibility. But none of those things can exchange praise for mourning. Beauty for ashes. Praise instead of a faint spirit. Today, think deeper about where you place your hope, and ask the Lord to till the soil of your soul for fresh desire in Him alone. Only He can grow the oak-like righteousness within you.Written by Bobby Smith

11111010day 4:day 4: a hopeful covenant a hopeful covenant“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and He will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.”- Malachi 3:1Malachi was a prophet living in a dark time in Israel’s history, aer the Babylonian captivity and prior to the 400 years of silence. Israel was rebuilding as a people, but they were a shadow of what they had been.The word most used in the book of Malachi is covenant. A covenant was an obligation between two non-relatives, stated as a promise or an oath. God had made a covenant with Israel; He promised His people a messiah, but it was a distant promise that required them to have faith that looked forward. We call that hope.Malachi was foreshadowing John the Baptist, who would be “more than a prophet” (Matt. 11:10) because he would announce the consummation of Israel’s hope: the arrival of the Messiah. We live on the other side of the cross, and our faith looks both backwards at Jesus’s death and resurrection and forward to the hope of His return to establish our eternal home. Pray about who or what your hope is in today, even if you are in a dark place, and God’s promises feel distant. Pray for your hope in Jesus to be refreshed.Written by David Anderson1111day 5:day 5: a sacred exchange a sacred exchange“...to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”- Isaiah 61:3What do you put your hope in? Reading a devotion like this, you may respond quickly with Jesus. However, I want you to take a moment to really think about it. Where is your hope? Is it in your savings account? Is it in your next vacation or escape? Is it in a new relationship? Is it in a longstanding relationship? I ask those questions not with accusation but confession. I have found my hopes oen hung upon each of those things in my life. On an intellectual level, I know this is folly, but my heart is stubborn, and my flesh is weak. So oen the root of our sin is a distrust of God and a self-seeking pride. We trade our hope in a worthy God for the trinkets of tangibility. But none of those things can exchange praise for mourning. Beauty for ashes. Praise instead of a faint spirit. Today, think deeper about where you place your hope, and ask the Lord to till the soil of your soul for fresh desire in Him alone. Only He can grow the oak-like righteousness within you.Written by Bobby Smith

13131212 day 6: day 6: expectant hope expectant hope“Then Nehemiah said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink the sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”- Nehemiah 8:10As Nehemiah is trying to restore the nation of Israel, the priest and scribe, Ezra, stood in front of the Water Gate in Jerusalem and read the Torah to his fellow Jews. As they heard the Torah read from dawn until midday, they grieved that they had not known about the laws. Nehemiah and the Levites started to calm the crowd by helping them see the other side of the story. While the Jewish people had not been faithful to the Lord, He remained steadfast and faithful to them. Sometimes we also lose sight of who we are in the Father’s eyes. We dri away from Him relationally and with that, stray from following His ways. But God never loses sight of us. His steadfast love for us is never-ending and unshakable. Nehemiah declared this event of Israel’s revival as a holy day – a day when the Father’s faithfulness and steadfast love was received and celebrated. It is a part of our nature to fixate on our failures, but don’t lose sight of where our hope really comes from: the steadfast love of God. His joy is grounded in His unwavering knowledge of our future together with Him. Let that strengthen and encourage you today.Written by David Anderson1313day 7:day 7: exciting hope exciting hope“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious.”- Isaiah 11:10The worst part of visiting my in-laws is driving home. Not only do we have to leave the love and comfort of our family behind, but we also have to make the long drive back. We oen begin this trek at sunset. Our distraught, grumpy, and pajamaed three-year-old is wrestled into her car seat, our belongings are unceremoniously dumped in the back of the van (inevitably leaving something behind), and my husband and I prepare ourselves for the long–and boring–drive down Highway 75. While this drive is definitely not the longest, my husband and I agree that it’s just a little too long for our liking. Anything over the two-hour mark feels unbearable with a preschooler. But we drive, in the dark, watching headlights and taillights until our eyes swim. Then suddenly, we see it. A simple green sign brings the greatest news—our exit is here! Home is just around the corner! The long wait is almost done! I wonder if that’s how Isaiah felt when he wrote this verse. Israel had traveled in the darkness of their sin for so long. God had promised to send a Savior, but that promise felt far behind. But God waved a banner of hope! The Root of Jesse, the Messiah, was coming! And all the nations will rally to Him and His glory. If you feel like you’ve been traveling a dark road this season, know that God waves this banner of hope for you too. Through His Son, God oers forgiveness and salvation. Even if the road is long in front of you, there is still hope for a home in Jesus. Written by Callie Bogle

13131212 day 6: day 6: expectant hope expectant hope“Then Nehemiah said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink the sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”- Nehemiah 8:10As Nehemiah is trying to restore the nation of Israel, the priest and scribe, Ezra, stood in front of the Water Gate in Jerusalem and read the Torah to his fellow Jews. As they heard the Torah read from dawn until midday, they grieved that they had not known about the laws. Nehemiah and the Levites started to calm the crowd by helping them see the other side of the story. While the Jewish people had not been faithful to the Lord, He remained steadfast and faithful to them. Sometimes we also lose sight of who we are in the Father’s eyes. We dri away from Him relationally and with that, stray from following His ways. But God never loses sight of us. His steadfast love for us is never-ending and unshakable. Nehemiah declared this event of Israel’s revival as a holy day – a day when the Father’s faithfulness and steadfast love was received and celebrated. It is a part of our nature to fixate on our failures, but don’t lose sight of where our hope really comes from: the steadfast love of God. His joy is grounded in His unwavering knowledge of our future together with Him. Let that strengthen and encourage you today.Written by David Anderson1313day 7:day 7: exciting hope exciting hope“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious.”- Isaiah 11:10The worst part of visiting my in-laws is driving home. Not only do we have to leave the love and comfort of our family behind, but we also have to make the long drive back. We oen begin this trek at sunset. Our distraught, grumpy, and pajamaed three-year-old is wrestled into her car seat, our belongings are unceremoniously dumped in the back of the van (inevitably leaving something behind), and my husband and I prepare ourselves for the long–and boring–drive down Highway 75. While this drive is definitely not the longest, my husband and I agree that it’s just a little too long for our liking. Anything over the two-hour mark feels unbearable with a preschooler. But we drive, in the dark, watching headlights and taillights until our eyes swim. Then suddenly, we see it. A simple green sign brings the greatest news—our exit is here! Home is just around the corner! The long wait is almost done! I wonder if that’s how Isaiah felt when he wrote this verse. Israel had traveled in the darkness of their sin for so long. God had promised to send a Savior, but that promise felt far behind. But God waved a banner of hope! The Root of Jesse, the Messiah, was coming! And all the nations will rally to Him and His glory. If you feel like you’ve been traveling a dark road this season, know that God waves this banner of hope for you too. Through His Son, God oers forgiveness and salvation. Even if the road is long in front of you, there is still hope for a home in Jesus. Written by Callie Bogle

15151515day 8:day 8: peace unto you peace unto youWritten by Adrian Coetzer “Glory To God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”- Luke 2:14On the second Sunday of Advent, the focus moves to the announcing of an incredible peace coming with the birth of Christ, the Promised One. Aer the long night of waiting for the promised Savior, the break of day brings the peace of God. Through Jesus, humanity can find peace with its Creator. The anxious wait is replaced by a peace that is so complete and joyful, it can only come from above. This peace is a gi, a reminder of a heavenly Father who lavishes His love on us. In Luke 2:14, an army of angels proclaim the glory and peace of God to those who seek Him and walk in His ways.Our world is desperate for peace, but God provides the ultimate peace by reconciling us to Him.So, on this Sunday, we light the second candle, to symbolize the incredible gi of peace and the further shrinking of darkness. As we remember the depths of the heart of God, we join the angels in declaring the power of God’s peace through Jesus Christ.

15151515day 8:day 8: peace unto you peace unto youWritten by Adrian Coetzer “Glory To God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”- Luke 2:14On the second Sunday of Advent, the focus moves to the announcing of an incredible peace coming with the birth of Christ, the Promised One. Aer the long night of waiting for the promised Savior, the break of day brings the peace of God. Through Jesus, humanity can find peace with its Creator. The anxious wait is replaced by a peace that is so complete and joyful, it can only come from above. This peace is a gi, a reminder of a heavenly Father who lavishes His love on us. In Luke 2:14, an army of angels proclaim the glory and peace of God to those who seek Him and walk in His ways.Our world is desperate for peace, but God provides the ultimate peace by reconciling us to Him.So, on this Sunday, we light the second candle, to symbolize the incredible gi of peace and the further shrinking of darkness. As we remember the depths of the heart of God, we join the angels in declaring the power of God’s peace through Jesus Christ.

17171616day 9:day 9: god with you god with you“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“- Philippians 4:6-7From within a Roman prison, facing uncertainty and potential death, Paul cheerfully writes, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Paul’s words seem to be, at best, an impossible task, and at worst, false words of comfort. It’s a waste of breath to tell someone facing hardships to “cheer up”. Why should they? What, in their present circumstances, will induce them to feel or do anything else? Worldly wisdom says, “Shut your eyes, distract yourself, and you will not fear.” How can a man surrounded by pain and walking through oppression write these words? The answer is found in the rest of the sentence: “but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Prayer is more than just asking for help; it’s how we foster a real relationship with God that is built on trust and openness. We build trust in God by sharing everything, from big worries to little concerns, with Him. The same God that breathed all planets, stars, and galaxies into existence wants you to be in open communication with Him about everything, even the seemingly small things. Ultimately Paul’s message assures us that by cultivating a genuine connection with God through prayer, “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In this way, prayer becomes not just a ritual, but a lifeline inviting us to experience comfort and hope in our most anxious moments. We do not have to carry our worries alone because our God cares deeply for us. At Christmas we are reminded that God sees us, cares for us, and is with us. Aer all, Emmanuel: God with us.Written by TJ Hyer1717day 10:day 10: do not be troubled do not be troubled“Peace I leave 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 14:2How incredible it must have been for Jesus’ disciples to walk alongside Him! Think about all they heard, saw, experienced, and the impact it had on their lives. But Jesus drops a bombshell on them: He’s leaving. Here was their teacher, their master, their friend, someone they dropped everything to follow, now sharing that He is “going away” (John 14:3-4). It was already a tumultuous time with people ridiculing them, making snide remarks, and voicing threats; the outside world was going to be of no help. This is the time they need Him the most!In typical Jesus fashion, He then soothes the fear, worry, and hopelessness the disciples are feeling. Because in addition to the Holy Spirit, He oers something of Himself. “Peace I leave 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 14:2). Peace! The One who had come as the Prince of Peace was holding true to this prophecy of old (Isa. 9:6).Do you find yourself in a fearful or hopeless circumstance? Are you searching for answers from the outside world? Jesus understands, and He sees you. Through trusting Him as Lord and Savior, the Prince of Peace stands ready, alongside the Holy Spirit, to provide the peace you need at the time you need it. So “do not … be troubled and do not be afraid”; His peace is yours for the taking.Written by Allison Young

17171616day 9:day 9: god with you god with you“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“- Philippians 4:6-7From within a Roman prison, facing uncertainty and potential death, Paul cheerfully writes, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Paul’s words seem to be, at best, an impossible task, and at worst, false words of comfort. It’s a waste of breath to tell someone facing hardships to “cheer up”. Why should they? What, in their present circumstances, will induce them to feel or do anything else? Worldly wisdom says, “Shut your eyes, distract yourself, and you will not fear.” How can a man surrounded by pain and walking through oppression write these words? The answer is found in the rest of the sentence: “but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Prayer is more than just asking for help; it’s how we foster a real relationship with God that is built on trust and openness. We build trust in God by sharing everything, from big worries to little concerns, with Him. The same God that breathed all planets, stars, and galaxies into existence wants you to be in open communication with Him about everything, even the seemingly small things. Ultimately Paul’s message assures us that by cultivating a genuine connection with God through prayer, “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In this way, prayer becomes not just a ritual, but a lifeline inviting us to experience comfort and hope in our most anxious moments. We do not have to carry our worries alone because our God cares deeply for us. At Christmas we are reminded that God sees us, cares for us, and is with us. Aer all, Emmanuel: God with us.Written by TJ Hyer1717day 10:day 10: do not be troubled do not be troubled“Peace I leave 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 14:2How incredible it must have been for Jesus’ disciples to walk alongside Him! Think about all they heard, saw, experienced, and the impact it had on their lives. But Jesus drops a bombshell on them: He’s leaving. Here was their teacher, their master, their friend, someone they dropped everything to follow, now sharing that He is “going away” (John 14:3-4). It was already a tumultuous time with people ridiculing them, making snide remarks, and voicing threats; the outside world was going to be of no help. This is the time they need Him the most!In typical Jesus fashion, He then soothes the fear, worry, and hopelessness the disciples are feeling. Because in addition to the Holy Spirit, He oers something of Himself. “Peace I leave 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 14:2). Peace! The One who had come as the Prince of Peace was holding true to this prophecy of old (Isa. 9:6).Do you find yourself in a fearful or hopeless circumstance? Are you searching for answers from the outside world? Jesus understands, and He sees you. Through trusting Him as Lord and Savior, the Prince of Peace stands ready, alongside the Holy Spirit, to provide the peace you need at the time you need it. So “do not … be troubled and do not be afraid”; His peace is yours for the taking.Written by Allison Young

19191818day 11:day 11: being peacemakers being peacemakers“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”- Matthew 5:9How would you define peace? Before you continue reading, take a moment to form your own working definition. What did you come up with?Author Ken Sande describes true peace as “a Christ-attained harmony across three relational arenas of life: with God, with one another, and within ourselves.” Too oen, when we speak of peace, we only convey a lack of activity or conflict. This may adequately describe a quiet morning or non-hostile workplace, but it fails to acknowledge the active nature of Jesus’ chosen word, peacemaker. What then does it mean to be a peacemaker? It means to work hard, striving to see the peace of Christ made present on Earth in the lives of others. One scientific principle states that a system without intervention will naturally become more chaotic. Between what you see on the news and what goes on in our daily lives, it’s easy to see that our fallen world isn’t much dierent. As a disciple of Christ, are you ready to intervene? The true peacemaker is not one who shies away from conflict, but one who readily enters into it by the power of the Holy Spirit and example of Jesus, seeking to gently and lovingly restore harmony with God, one another, and oneself. What conflicts are going on around your life? Even with the joy of Christmas, conflicts have a way of rearing their ugly heads. Take some time to pray for these and ask God how he may use you as a peacemaker.Written by Brady Whitehead1919day 12:day 12: jesus, the prince of peace jesus, the prince of peace“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.”- Isaiah 9:6In a world that is full of chaos, strife, pain, and turmoil, peace can oen feel elusive. The division and dissonance among people are oen emphasized and exaggerated and tend to be the center of conversations and the news. It is exhausting. Thankfully, Jesus is the Prince of Peace.Jesus is the promised Son of God. He came to this earth as a gi for all of humanity in order to reconcile us with Himself. We can trust Him because all authority rests on His shoulders. As a Wonderful Counselor, He leads and guides our lives. Nothing can stand against Him because He is an all-powerful, mighty God. There is no end to His fatherly love, compassion, and mercy. He is the Prince of Peace.Because of who Jesus is, we can experience peace. We can trust Him and find rest. When we trust Him as Savior and Lord, we are reconciled with God and experience eternal peace with Him. Even on Earth, He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our lives. One way it is evident that the Holy Spirit is at work is when we experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Gal. 5:22; Phil. 4:7).The Christmas season is not oen characterized by peace and rest but busyness and striving. Let’s be intentional about living dierently this year. In this Christmas season, let us remember the peace of God given to us through Jesus Christ.Written by Christina Wekall

19191818day 11:day 11: being peacemakers being peacemakers“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”- Matthew 5:9How would you define peace? Before you continue reading, take a moment to form your own working definition. What did you come up with?Author Ken Sande describes true peace as “a Christ-attained harmony across three relational arenas of life: with God, with one another, and within ourselves.” Too oen, when we speak of peace, we only convey a lack of activity or conflict. This may adequately describe a quiet morning or non-hostile workplace, but it fails to acknowledge the active nature of Jesus’ chosen word, peacemaker. What then does it mean to be a peacemaker? It means to work hard, striving to see the peace of Christ made present on Earth in the lives of others. One scientific principle states that a system without intervention will naturally become more chaotic. Between what you see on the news and what goes on in our daily lives, it’s easy to see that our fallen world isn’t much dierent. As a disciple of Christ, are you ready to intervene? The true peacemaker is not one who shies away from conflict, but one who readily enters into it by the power of the Holy Spirit and example of Jesus, seeking to gently and lovingly restore harmony with God, one another, and oneself. What conflicts are going on around your life? Even with the joy of Christmas, conflicts have a way of rearing their ugly heads. Take some time to pray for these and ask God how he may use you as a peacemaker.Written by Brady Whitehead1919day 12:day 12: jesus, the prince of peace jesus, the prince of peace“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.”- Isaiah 9:6In a world that is full of chaos, strife, pain, and turmoil, peace can oen feel elusive. The division and dissonance among people are oen emphasized and exaggerated and tend to be the center of conversations and the news. It is exhausting. Thankfully, Jesus is the Prince of Peace.Jesus is the promised Son of God. He came to this earth as a gi for all of humanity in order to reconcile us with Himself. We can trust Him because all authority rests on His shoulders. As a Wonderful Counselor, He leads and guides our lives. Nothing can stand against Him because He is an all-powerful, mighty God. There is no end to His fatherly love, compassion, and mercy. He is the Prince of Peace.Because of who Jesus is, we can experience peace. We can trust Him and find rest. When we trust Him as Savior and Lord, we are reconciled with God and experience eternal peace with Him. Even on Earth, He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our lives. One way it is evident that the Holy Spirit is at work is when we experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Gal. 5:22; Phil. 4:7).The Christmas season is not oen characterized by peace and rest but busyness and striving. Let’s be intentional about living dierently this year. In this Christmas season, let us remember the peace of God given to us through Jesus Christ.Written by Christina Wekall

21212020day 13:day 13: everlasting peace everlasting peace“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” - Colossians 3:15Most of us think about peace in terms of a circumstance, a state of being, or some sort of freedom from the things that war against us. However, the people of God oen referred to peace as a person, Jehovah Shalom, literally meaning “the Lord is peace.” In the Advent season, I oen think about Handel’s “Messiah” with its massive orchestral score and vocal prowess as it brings cosmic immensity and emotive weight to the Incarnation. Specifically, I dwell on the repeating refrain “and he shall reign forever and ever” which highlights the never-ending kingdom of Christ and His sovereign rule over all things. Don’t miss this point.Our key Scripture here is about letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Not only will Christ reign over all creation, His very presence in you can reign over your heart, and His peace rule over you. This season is oen marked by the tyranny of the urgent: much to do at the end of the year, things to buy, places to go, people to see, and hurry up! The urgent steals our focus and can wipe any sense of peace in a season that is meant to highlight it! Look at the root word of tyranny: tyrant. Who were usually branded as tyrants? Kings. Bad kings domineer their people and rule them tyrannically.That is not the king in which we serve. Christ the King comes that you may have peace rule in your heart. The tyranny of the urgent no longer has its power, but instead you are marked by peace because the very person of God through His Spirit lives inside of you. Let His peace rule in you, and be thankful.Written by Bobby Smith2121day 14:day 14: perfect peace perfect peace“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”- Isaiah 26:3My little brother played for our school’s football team. His senior year, they made it to the State Championship! Our entire town drove four hours north to cheer on the Colquitt County Packers. The good news is that we won the game. The bad news, however, is that I didn’t enjoy a single second of it because I was so nervous. Once we won, I immediately wished I could rewind time to watch it all over again, this time knowing how the story ends. Knowing the ending of the game that day would have completely changed how I watched it. Instead of looking with worry and fear, I would have been able to enjoy the game and watch with excited anticipation of the celebration to come. Isaiah 26:3 is actually part of a song. Before penning the song, the prophet Isaiah gives us some context, “On that day, this song will be sung…” (26:1). What day is Isaiah talking about? He is referring to the day when death is swallowed up forever, and the Lord achieves total and complete victory for His people. As followers of Jesus, we know how the story ends, with Christ in glory. On that day, we will finally experience perfect peace because God has promised it to us.I’m not sure where you are in your story today. Perfect peace may feel so far away that you’ve given up on it entirely. What I do know is that one day, perfect peace will be yours because Christ has made it so. Until then, you can walk through your days not with worry or fear, but with an excited and settled anticipation of the celebration to come (Rev. 21:3-4).Written by Jordan Wilkes

21212020day 13:day 13: everlasting peace everlasting peace“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” - Colossians 3:15Most of us think about peace in terms of a circumstance, a state of being, or some sort of freedom from the things that war against us. However, the people of God oen referred to peace as a person, Jehovah Shalom, literally meaning “the Lord is peace.” In the Advent season, I oen think about Handel’s “Messiah” with its massive orchestral score and vocal prowess as it brings cosmic immensity and emotive weight to the Incarnation. Specifically, I dwell on the repeating refrain “and he shall reign forever and ever” which highlights the never-ending kingdom of Christ and His sovereign rule over all things. Don’t miss this point.Our key Scripture here is about letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Not only will Christ reign over all creation, His very presence in you can reign over your heart, and His peace rule over you. This season is oen marked by the tyranny of the urgent: much to do at the end of the year, things to buy, places to go, people to see, and hurry up! The urgent steals our focus and can wipe any sense of peace in a season that is meant to highlight it! Look at the root word of tyranny: tyrant. Who were usually branded as tyrants? Kings. Bad kings domineer their people and rule them tyrannically.That is not the king in which we serve. Christ the King comes that you may have peace rule in your heart. The tyranny of the urgent no longer has its power, but instead you are marked by peace because the very person of God through His Spirit lives inside of you. Let His peace rule in you, and be thankful.Written by Bobby Smith2121day 14:day 14: perfect peace perfect peace“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”- Isaiah 26:3My little brother played for our school’s football team. His senior year, they made it to the State Championship! Our entire town drove four hours north to cheer on the Colquitt County Packers. The good news is that we won the game. The bad news, however, is that I didn’t enjoy a single second of it because I was so nervous. Once we won, I immediately wished I could rewind time to watch it all over again, this time knowing how the story ends. Knowing the ending of the game that day would have completely changed how I watched it. Instead of looking with worry and fear, I would have been able to enjoy the game and watch with excited anticipation of the celebration to come. Isaiah 26:3 is actually part of a song. Before penning the song, the prophet Isaiah gives us some context, “On that day, this song will be sung…” (26:1). What day is Isaiah talking about? He is referring to the day when death is swallowed up forever, and the Lord achieves total and complete victory for His people. As followers of Jesus, we know how the story ends, with Christ in glory. On that day, we will finally experience perfect peace because God has promised it to us.I’m not sure where you are in your story today. Perfect peace may feel so far away that you’ve given up on it entirely. What I do know is that one day, perfect peace will be yours because Christ has made it so. Until then, you can walk through your days not with worry or fear, but with an excited and settled anticipation of the celebration to come (Rev. 21:3-4).Written by Jordan Wilkes

23232323 day 15: day 15: the depths of joythe depths of joy “And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”- Luke 1:46-47As the anticipation builds, as we wait together, and as we remember what we are celebrating, this third Sunday of Advent is focused on the immeasurable joy Christ brings. In today’s reading from Luke 1:46-47, we see the song of joy pouring from the lips of Mary. There is a deep simplicity about her song. Her praise begins with magnifying the Lord and declaring that her spirit “rejoices in God my Savior.” Her deep, fulfilling joy is in the Savior, Jesus.In this life, we will experience momentary happiness and glimpses of joy, but nothing will satisfy your soul like knowing the joy of the Lord. Mary shows us here that God sees our great need for a Savior, and God provided said Savior by sending His Son to reconcile us to Him. The depths of our brokenness should sadden us, but this sadness only pales in comparison to the goodness of a merciful God who, not just saves us, but fills us with all the joy we could ever need.So, as you light the joy candle, praise God for His goodness and care in sending the Savior.Written by Adrian Coetzer

23232323 day 15: day 15: the depths of joythe depths of joy “And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”- Luke 1:46-47As the anticipation builds, as we wait together, and as we remember what we are celebrating, this third Sunday of Advent is focused on the immeasurable joy Christ brings. In today’s reading from Luke 1:46-47, we see the song of joy pouring from the lips of Mary. There is a deep simplicity about her song. Her praise begins with magnifying the Lord and declaring that her spirit “rejoices in God my Savior.” Her deep, fulfilling joy is in the Savior, Jesus.In this life, we will experience momentary happiness and glimpses of joy, but nothing will satisfy your soul like knowing the joy of the Lord. Mary shows us here that God sees our great need for a Savior, and God provided said Savior by sending His Son to reconcile us to Him. The depths of our brokenness should sadden us, but this sadness only pales in comparison to the goodness of a merciful God who, not just saves us, but fills us with all the joy we could ever need.So, as you light the joy candle, praise God for His goodness and care in sending the Savior.Written by Adrian Coetzer

25252424day 16: day 16: lasting joylasting joy“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!”- Philippians 4:4What makes Christmas such a happy time of year? I think it’s the gis, the songs, the lights, and the trees we decorate in our homes. My favorite is the tree on top of the North Atrium entrance at church. When we say the words joy or rejoice at Christmas, do they mean the same thing as happiness? I think joy is dierent. I think joy comes from people and in Jesus. Joy is found when we put Jesus first and others second. Serving and loving others can look like our family and friends, but joy can also come from strangers. It may be a stranger that needs a meal. It may be a child who deserves a shoe-box gi. It may be a person with special needs who wants a friend. Joy comes from putting yourself last and putting others before yourself. That’s how you spell joy:j - j - Jesusoo - - Othersy -y - YourselfJesus wants us to focus on relationships, and there’s no better time than Christmas! Jesus wants us to think about our relationship with Him and with others more than we think about ourselves and passing, temporary things. Relationships are precious and pure joy lasts forever!Written by Lynn Wilkerson2525day 17:day 17: the wonder joy the wonder joy“... and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”- 1 Peter 1:8-9Picture this: sheep are grazing in the field while a group of shepherds guard them. It had to have been a quiet night, especially in light of what was to come. Then, out of nowhere “an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them” (Luke 2:9). Scripture goes on to tell us that the shepherds were terrified, but aer being calmed by an angel and told about the birth of a Savior, their fear moved to uncontained joy. There couldn’t have been adequate words to describe all the wonder and awe. Because of the birth of the Savior, Jesus, these shepherds were filled with an inexpressible joy.1 Peter 1:8-9 explains that we as believers have an inexpressible joy because of the salvation given to us by this same Savior. Because of His willingness to pay the punishment for our sin by dying on a cross, He made a way for us to no longer be separated from God. Our punishment of death was paid in full and by trusting in Him as our Savior, we are guaranteed life eternal! There definitely aren’t any adequate words to describe the wonder and awe of His sacrifice. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are filled with an inexpressible joy.Written by Allison Young

25252424day 16: day 16: lasting joylasting joy“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!”- Philippians 4:4What makes Christmas such a happy time of year? I think it’s the gis, the songs, the lights, and the trees we decorate in our homes. My favorite is the tree on top of the North Atrium entrance at church. When we say the words joy or rejoice at Christmas, do they mean the same thing as happiness? I think joy is dierent. I think joy comes from people and in Jesus. Joy is found when we put Jesus first and others second. Serving and loving others can look like our family and friends, but joy can also come from strangers. It may be a stranger that needs a meal. It may be a child who deserves a shoe-box gi. It may be a person with special needs who wants a friend. Joy comes from putting yourself last and putting others before yourself. That’s how you spell joy:j - j - Jesusoo - - Othersy -y - YourselfJesus wants us to focus on relationships, and there’s no better time than Christmas! Jesus wants us to think about our relationship with Him and with others more than we think about ourselves and passing, temporary things. Relationships are precious and pure joy lasts forever!Written by Lynn Wilkerson2525day 17:day 17: the wonder joy the wonder joy“... and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”- 1 Peter 1:8-9Picture this: sheep are grazing in the field while a group of shepherds guard them. It had to have been a quiet night, especially in light of what was to come. Then, out of nowhere “an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them” (Luke 2:9). Scripture goes on to tell us that the shepherds were terrified, but aer being calmed by an angel and told about the birth of a Savior, their fear moved to uncontained joy. There couldn’t have been adequate words to describe all the wonder and awe. Because of the birth of the Savior, Jesus, these shepherds were filled with an inexpressible joy.1 Peter 1:8-9 explains that we as believers have an inexpressible joy because of the salvation given to us by this same Savior. Because of His willingness to pay the punishment for our sin by dying on a cross, He made a way for us to no longer be separated from God. Our punishment of death was paid in full and by trusting in Him as our Savior, we are guaranteed life eternal! There definitely aren’t any adequate words to describe the wonder and awe of His sacrifice. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are filled with an inexpressible joy.Written by Allison Young

27272626day 18:day 18: the ultimate joy the ultimate joy“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’.”- Luke 2:10-11Some of the most painful experiences in life are being separated from those we love: the strain of long-distance dating, the ache of sending a child to college, the breathtaking sting of a loved one’s death. The most significant separation humans endure is being separated from the wholly completing love of our Creator and Lord. The Israelites understood this separation-pain worst of all. From Adam to Herod, Israel waited for one who could forgive them, someone who could bring them the joy of being reunited with the Father, someone who could make all things new. In Luke 2, the angels brought tidings of great joy. The Savior, the Messiah, has finally been born! Where there was pain, there can now be love. Where there was sin, there can now be forgiveness. Where we were separated from God, we can now be together again. What joy the birth of Jesus brings! And it is all the stronger because of the separation-pain that preceded it. This joy wasn’t only for the shepherds or the Israelites; this joy is for you! In John 16:33, Jesus reminds us that pain is inevitable in this world. This Christmas, you will inevitably feel a measure of pain, like worry, anxiety, or even loss. But Jesus promises joy! Like welcoming a long-awaited friend or cradling a newborn child, Jesus’s joy perfects and surpasses the pain that precedes it. Only Jesus can transform our greatest loss into our greatest joy—a renewed relationship with our God.Written by Callie Bogle2727day 19:day 19: a joy complete a joy complete“...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”- Hebrews 12:2This little snippet of Hebrews says so much about the joy we can find in Christ and the joy He has in being our savior. This verse starts with an assertive call to us as believers and ends as all things will and should, with the glorification of our Lord seated on the throne. Oh what joy can we find here!As the author begins, they call us to fix our eyes on Jesus. In that little phrase, there is something unspoken within the ancient Greek language. Another way you could accurately say the phrase “let us fix our eyes on Jesus” would be “let us turn away from whatever it is we are looking at, so that we can see Jesus ever so clearly.” The author isn’t just telling us to look at Jesus; they are saying that Jesus is better than whatever it is we have our eyes on right now. Don’t miss that!Jesus, the Creator and Perfecter of our faith, is the ultimate example for us, the Completer, Finisher, the One who did what was required for our faith. This phrase really speaks for itself. Not only is Jesus better than whatever we have our eyes fixed on, He is worthy of our eyes being on Him. Why is He worthy? Because “for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.” In order for Jesus to obtain the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross for us. He despised its shame and took His rightful place at the right hand of the throne.Our Savior, who is seated at the right hand of God, takes joy in being your savior and mine. When we look to Him, we ourselves find the joy that He meant for us to receive. Fix your eyes on him, and rejoice today!Written by Luke Sisson

27272626day 18:day 18: the ultimate joy the ultimate joy“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’.”- Luke 2:10-11Some of the most painful experiences in life are being separated from those we love: the strain of long-distance dating, the ache of sending a child to college, the breathtaking sting of a loved one’s death. The most significant separation humans endure is being separated from the wholly completing love of our Creator and Lord. The Israelites understood this separation-pain worst of all. From Adam to Herod, Israel waited for one who could forgive them, someone who could bring them the joy of being reunited with the Father, someone who could make all things new. In Luke 2, the angels brought tidings of great joy. The Savior, the Messiah, has finally been born! Where there was pain, there can now be love. Where there was sin, there can now be forgiveness. Where we were separated from God, we can now be together again. What joy the birth of Jesus brings! And it is all the stronger because of the separation-pain that preceded it. This joy wasn’t only for the shepherds or the Israelites; this joy is for you! In John 16:33, Jesus reminds us that pain is inevitable in this world. This Christmas, you will inevitably feel a measure of pain, like worry, anxiety, or even loss. But Jesus promises joy! Like welcoming a long-awaited friend or cradling a newborn child, Jesus’s joy perfects and surpasses the pain that precedes it. Only Jesus can transform our greatest loss into our greatest joy—a renewed relationship with our God.Written by Callie Bogle2727day 19:day 19: a joy complete a joy complete“...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”- Hebrews 12:2This little snippet of Hebrews says so much about the joy we can find in Christ and the joy He has in being our savior. This verse starts with an assertive call to us as believers and ends as all things will and should, with the glorification of our Lord seated on the throne. Oh what joy can we find here!As the author begins, they call us to fix our eyes on Jesus. In that little phrase, there is something unspoken within the ancient Greek language. Another way you could accurately say the phrase “let us fix our eyes on Jesus” would be “let us turn away from whatever it is we are looking at, so that we can see Jesus ever so clearly.” The author isn’t just telling us to look at Jesus; they are saying that Jesus is better than whatever it is we have our eyes on right now. Don’t miss that!Jesus, the Creator and Perfecter of our faith, is the ultimate example for us, the Completer, Finisher, the One who did what was required for our faith. This phrase really speaks for itself. Not only is Jesus better than whatever we have our eyes fixed on, He is worthy of our eyes being on Him. Why is He worthy? Because “for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.” In order for Jesus to obtain the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross for us. He despised its shame and took His rightful place at the right hand of the throne.Our Savior, who is seated at the right hand of God, takes joy in being your savior and mine. When we look to Him, we ourselves find the joy that He meant for us to receive. Fix your eyes on him, and rejoice today!Written by Luke Sisson

29292828day 20:day 20: a strong joy a strong joy“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10 For many years the Israelite people were held captive as exiles in foreign lands. When finally, miraculously, released, they found their home in shambles. Rebuilding began with the commission to construct a wall around the city to allow for future homes, marketplaces, etc. The task was arduous and, not surprisingly, riddled with opposition from both inside and outside the walls. Nehemiah 8 opens with all these weary people, having completed the rebuilding of the city, gathered together to listen to the reading of the law. Imagine.A people who had been mistreated, forgotten, and enslaved, now stood unified, protected, and settled as the words of the Living God washed over them. They responded to the hopeful, cleansing words of the Lord with weeping and thanksgiving.Maybe you, like the Israelite people, have found yourself picking up the pieces aer chasing the wrong things. Perhaps you fear quieting yourself before the Lord, believing you will encounter condemnation and shame. God is slow to anger, abounding in love, quick to forgive sin and rebellion. He is ready to settle your heart and mind as you turn towards Him. In Him you will find a stronghold, well equipped to meet your every need and true celebration in His joy. Written by Kristen Carrday 21:day 21: inexpressible joy inexpressible joy“...and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”- 1 Peter 1:8We experience dierent levels of joy at Christmas. Maybe you’re a grandparent who experiences great joy seeing your family crowded around the living room. Or you look forward to the joy a delicious holiday meal brings (because we all know calories don’t count at Christmas!). And, of course, we think of the joy a child experiences as he or she opens gis on Christmas morning. But most of the joys found at Christmas, as great as they might be, are temporary. Your extended family eventually returns home (sometimes not soon enough!), the leovers are consumed, and the newness of the presents quickly fade. But we are told in Scripture of a joy that is not quick to dwindle.1 Peter 1:8-9 tells of an inexpressible joy that is found in Jesus. Though we are not able to see Jesus with our eyes, we still experience the glory of Christ. It is through our faith in Jesus that leads to the most joyful outcome, the salvation of our souls. Everything that provides us temporary joys we can see with our eyes, yet it is what is not seen that gives us true, permanent joy.We are able to enjoy Jesus now and for all eternity! Today, spend time reflecting on the joy of Christ. Pray that God would give you an eternal perspective on what gives true joy.Written by Steven Bonham2929

29292828day 20:day 20: a strong joy a strong joy“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10 For many years the Israelite people were held captive as exiles in foreign lands. When finally, miraculously, released, they found their home in shambles. Rebuilding began with the commission to construct a wall around the city to allow for future homes, marketplaces, etc. The task was arduous and, not surprisingly, riddled with opposition from both inside and outside the walls. Nehemiah 8 opens with all these weary people, having completed the rebuilding of the city, gathered together to listen to the reading of the law. Imagine.A people who had been mistreated, forgotten, and enslaved, now stood unified, protected, and settled as the words of the Living God washed over them. They responded to the hopeful, cleansing words of the Lord with weeping and thanksgiving.Maybe you, like the Israelite people, have found yourself picking up the pieces aer chasing the wrong things. Perhaps you fear quieting yourself before the Lord, believing you will encounter condemnation and shame. God is slow to anger, abounding in love, quick to forgive sin and rebellion. He is ready to settle your heart and mind as you turn towards Him. In Him you will find a stronghold, well equipped to meet your every need and true celebration in His joy. Written by Kristen Carrday 21:day 21: inexpressible joy inexpressible joy“...and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”- 1 Peter 1:8We experience dierent levels of joy at Christmas. Maybe you’re a grandparent who experiences great joy seeing your family crowded around the living room. Or you look forward to the joy a delicious holiday meal brings (because we all know calories don’t count at Christmas!). And, of course, we think of the joy a child experiences as he or she opens gis on Christmas morning. But most of the joys found at Christmas, as great as they might be, are temporary. Your extended family eventually returns home (sometimes not soon enough!), the leovers are consumed, and the newness of the presents quickly fade. But we are told in Scripture of a joy that is not quick to dwindle.1 Peter 1:8-9 tells of an inexpressible joy that is found in Jesus. Though we are not able to see Jesus with our eyes, we still experience the glory of Christ. It is through our faith in Jesus that leads to the most joyful outcome, the salvation of our souls. Everything that provides us temporary joys we can see with our eyes, yet it is what is not seen that gives us true, permanent joy.We are able to enjoy Jesus now and for all eternity! Today, spend time reflecting on the joy of Christ. Pray that God would give you an eternal perspective on what gives true joy.Written by Steven Bonham2929

31313131day 22:day 22: true love true love“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.”- 1 John 4:9Love is oen linked with Christmas. Think of romantic love. If you have ever watched a Hallmark Channel movie, it’s probably easy for you to imagine a young couple skating at the Rockefeller Center, holding hands under the lights of the giant Christmas tree. Or think of the loving family or group of friends sitting together on Christmas morning, opening gis together by a warm fire. While these are good examples, the best way to understand love is to think about the love God has for us. 1 John 4:9 says, “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.” We experience true love when we accept what God the Father did through Jesus. God the Son came to be born as a baby, so He could be the “propitiation for our sins” (v. 10). Jesus lovingly came to be our sin payment so that we may have life. True love, as we were reminded today in the lighting of the love candle, is found in the gi of Jesus. Through Christ we are promised life. We are given true life to be experienced in this world, and unimaginable life to be experienced one day in Heaven. There is no greater love! As a follower of Christ, you have the privilege of sharing this love with others. Who in your life needs to hear of God’s love for them?Written by Steven Bonham

31313131day 22:day 22: true love true love“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.”- 1 John 4:9Love is oen linked with Christmas. Think of romantic love. If you have ever watched a Hallmark Channel movie, it’s probably easy for you to imagine a young couple skating at the Rockefeller Center, holding hands under the lights of the giant Christmas tree. Or think of the loving family or group of friends sitting together on Christmas morning, opening gis together by a warm fire. While these are good examples, the best way to understand love is to think about the love God has for us. 1 John 4:9 says, “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.” We experience true love when we accept what God the Father did through Jesus. God the Son came to be born as a baby, so He could be the “propitiation for our sins” (v. 10). Jesus lovingly came to be our sin payment so that we may have life. True love, as we were reminded today in the lighting of the love candle, is found in the gi of Jesus. Through Christ we are promised life. We are given true life to be experienced in this world, and unimaginable life to be experienced one day in Heaven. There is no greater love! As a follower of Christ, you have the privilege of sharing this love with others. Who in your life needs to hear of God’s love for them?Written by Steven Bonham

33333232day 23:day 23: the love of god the love of god“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”- John 3:16 This is a verse so many people of all ages know like the back of their hands. Athletes write this verse on their eye black before a game, and some people put it on a bumper sticker on their car. Despite its popularity, however; sometimes we can feel desensitized from its truth and gravity. “For God so loved the world” may be the most important words we could read about our God, and we cannot aord to overlook them. There are three words that stand out in that fragment: God, love, and world. God is the One who fashioned the cosmos into existence, and the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb. He is the one performing the action that literally brings you and me from death to life. That action? Love. The word love is used dierently in the Bible than the way we might use it today. In both the Old and New Testament, there are words to describe dierent types of relational love. Today, in modern English, you and I might say, “I love my dog” and, “I love God.” We use the same word, but ancient languages thought it necessary to use dierent words for dierent types of love. Love in this verse is agape and is strictly reserved for communicating a divine love, a love above all loves, a love that He takes pleasure in doing.Who receives this love? The “world” here encompasses everyone in His creation, including you and me. God loved the world (us) with a love above all loves. He sent His Son to pay the price we were meant to pay so that we may live. Not only did He do this wonderful deed, but He took pleasure in doing it for us. Remember that this verse is one of the single most important statements of our faith, and remember: it is true.Written by Luke Sisson3333day 24:day 24: true love true love“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”- John 15:13She sat on the couch next to her husband. All she could do was gaze into nothingness. Her hands that once played the piano so masterfully were now lying next to her. Her voice that so beautifully filled the sanctuary of her little country church was now silent as dementia had taken its toll. There was her husband of many years, stroking her hair and patting her hands, assuring her of his presence and love. I witnessed this very thing in the living room of my parent’s home. When I saw my dad showering his love onto my mom, I thought this was true love in action. It was that unconditional whole-hearted, never-wavering, self-sacrificing, all-encompassing, all-in kind of love. This is but a reflection of the kind of love Christ oers to us. Consider the true meaning of love this Christmas. I am sure that my dad would have traded places with my mom. But even at its best, a fallible human love is all that we can oer. It’s a perfect love that God provides. My dad could not trade places with my mom. However, that is exactly what Christ did for me. He laid down His life for mine, and for yours. He le the splendor of Heaven knowing that He would be born only to die on a cross of suering. His love is an amazing love. His love is a sacrificial love. This Christmas, may His love be born again and live in each of us. Written by Mitch Verdell

33333232day 23:day 23: the love of god the love of god“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”- John 3:16 This is a verse so many people of all ages know like the back of their hands. Athletes write this verse on their eye black before a game, and some people put it on a bumper sticker on their car. Despite its popularity, however; sometimes we can feel desensitized from its truth and gravity. “For God so loved the world” may be the most important words we could read about our God, and we cannot aord to overlook them. There are three words that stand out in that fragment: God, love, and world. God is the One who fashioned the cosmos into existence, and the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb. He is the one performing the action that literally brings you and me from death to life. That action? Love. The word love is used dierently in the Bible than the way we might use it today. In both the Old and New Testament, there are words to describe dierent types of relational love. Today, in modern English, you and I might say, “I love my dog” and, “I love God.” We use the same word, but ancient languages thought it necessary to use dierent words for dierent types of love. Love in this verse is agape and is strictly reserved for communicating a divine love, a love above all loves, a love that He takes pleasure in doing.Who receives this love? The “world” here encompasses everyone in His creation, including you and me. God loved the world (us) with a love above all loves. He sent His Son to pay the price we were meant to pay so that we may live. Not only did He do this wonderful deed, but He took pleasure in doing it for us. Remember that this verse is one of the single most important statements of our faith, and remember: it is true.Written by Luke Sisson3333day 24:day 24: true love true love“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”- John 15:13She sat on the couch next to her husband. All she could do was gaze into nothingness. Her hands that once played the piano so masterfully were now lying next to her. Her voice that so beautifully filled the sanctuary of her little country church was now silent as dementia had taken its toll. There was her husband of many years, stroking her hair and patting her hands, assuring her of his presence and love. I witnessed this very thing in the living room of my parent’s home. When I saw my dad showering his love onto my mom, I thought this was true love in action. It was that unconditional whole-hearted, never-wavering, self-sacrificing, all-encompassing, all-in kind of love. This is but a reflection of the kind of love Christ oers to us. Consider the true meaning of love this Christmas. I am sure that my dad would have traded places with my mom. But even at its best, a fallible human love is all that we can oer. It’s a perfect love that God provides. My dad could not trade places with my mom. However, that is exactly what Christ did for me. He laid down His life for mine, and for yours. He le the splendor of Heaven knowing that He would be born only to die on a cross of suering. His love is an amazing love. His love is a sacrificial love. This Christmas, may His love be born again and live in each of us. Written by Mitch Verdell

3434day 25:day 25: jesus among us jesus among us“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”- John 1:14 It is finally time to celebrate the birth of the promised King. He is God incarnate, God with us, God among us. Jesus brought down heaven to earth in a very simple, beautiful, holy way. His birth is the fulfillment of so many promises and hopes and a reminder of the love of God. Jesus represents the extent to which God will go to redeem a lost and broken world to Himself. This love is an echo of His glory and resonates with His goodness and faithfulness.We need this, every day. On Christmas, we celebrate the humble King born to lead and save us from sin and brokenness. Today, we celebrate the most beautiful gi and the most costly gi: His love for us.Before the gis and the treats, before the huge gatherings and laughter, let’s pause. Let us thank God for Jesus and ask Him to remind us daily of His love for us and for this world. Let’s ask Him to reveal every opportunity to be grateful and ask Him to help us share this good news with those around us, with love and with boldness, full of grace and full of truth.Light every Advent candle, and let the lights shine forth!Amen.Written by Adrian CoetzerDigital VersionDigital VersionIf you need a digital version, you can scan the QR code or visit:johnsonferry.org/christmas

3434day 25:day 25: jesus among us jesus among us“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”- John 1:14 It is finally time to celebrate the birth of the promised King. He is God incarnate, God with us, God among us. Jesus brought down heaven to earth in a very simple, beautiful, holy way. His birth is the fulfillment of so many promises and hopes and a reminder of the love of God. Jesus represents the extent to which God will go to redeem a lost and broken world to Himself. This love is an echo of His glory and resonates with His goodness and faithfulness.We need this, every day. On Christmas, we celebrate the humble King born to lead and save us from sin and brokenness. Today, we celebrate the most beautiful gi and the most costly gi: His love for us.Before the gis and the treats, before the huge gatherings and laughter, let’s pause. Let us thank God for Jesus and ask Him to remind us daily of His love for us and for this world. Let’s ask Him to reveal every opportunity to be grateful and ask Him to help us share this good news with those around us, with love and with boldness, full of grace and full of truth.Light every Advent candle, and let the lights shine forth!Amen.Written by Adrian CoetzerDigital VersionDigital VersionIf you need a digital version, you can scan the QR code or visit:johnsonferry.org/christmas