Jesus Christ December 2014

8/10/2019 Jesus Christ December 2014

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Refreshing

Dailyin Gods Word

Emphasis on

Jesus Christ

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name

written,KING OF KING AN! "O#! OF "O#!$%


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The emphasis in this months

Refreshing Daily in Gods Word

is Jesus Christ. Over the ourse

of the !rst t"enty#seven days

this month$ "e "ill %e loo&ing at

Jesus in eah of the t"enty#

seven %oo&s of the 'e"

Testament. ( trust that these

series ofdevotionals "ill refresh

you daily for Gods glory.


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The Messiah And The SaviorDecember 1

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Key Verse: Verse 21 - And she shall bring forth a son,and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall savehis people from their sins!

Key Words:save his people from their sins

n the boo! o" Matthew# $es%s is seen as the Messiah# theKing o" the $ews & the 'ne Who was to deli(er the $ewish)eo)le "rom bondage* and $es%s did come to deli(er "rombondage# not )hysical bondage# b%t s)irit%al bondage+ ,e didthat by ta!ing the sins o" man!ind on ,imsel" and in doing so#made a way o" sal(ation "or all men+

Dr+ la%de Barlow was a medical missionary to .haoshing#hina# in the early )art o" the cent%ry+ D%ring his ministrythere# a strange disease began !illing )eo)le and Dr+ Barlowco%ld not "ind a remedy+ n search o" a c%re# he "illed hisnoteboo! with obser(ations o" the )ec%liarities he hadwitnessed in h%ndreds o" cases+ /hen# with a small (ial o"germs# he sailed to the 0nited .tates+ $%st be"ore he arri(ed#he inected himsel" with the deadly disease and then h%rriedto his alma mater# $ohn ,o)!ins 0ni(ersity ,os)ital+ ,e hadbecome (ery sic! and now de)ended on his "ormer )ro"essorsto "ind a c%re+ /hey were able to sa(e his li"e and send himbac! to hina with a c%re "or the dreaded disease+ n the

)rocess# a m%ltit%de o" li(es were s)ared & than!s to Dr+la%de Barlow+n the midst o" o%r e)idemic called sin# $es%s went to the

cross and inected ,imsel" with o%r deadly disease+3 ,e thencommitted ,imsel" to the 4athers care+ /hree days later$es%s arose with the c%re+ 6raise 7od Death is no longer o%rdestiny+ 6raise 7od $es%s came to sa(e ,is )eo)le "romtheir sins+

What to do:" yo% ha(e ne(er been born again# as! $es%s to beyo%r .a(ior+ n the words o" the songwriter# ,e willsa(e yo% now+3


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commission %Acts 1:+hrist was the greatest o" all the missionaries# beca%se ,e

was the greatest o" all the ser(ants+ Maybe we sho%ld "ollowboth ,is lead and command# and go into all the world and)reach the gos)el to e(ery creat%re+

What to do:6ray and as! 7od to hel) yo% be a h%mble ser(ant: inso%l-winning* in )rayer* in gi(ing* in caring* incom)assion+

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The Son Of ManDecember ;

Bible Reading: @%!e 1:1-1"rica which


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meant# ta!e his head o%t o" the iron collar+3>ccording to C%gene ida in his boo!# 7ods Word in

Mans @ang%age# when the Bible was translated in the dialecto" the Bambaras# a common word was so%ght "or the abstractidea o" redem)tion+ /he translator seiAed on the well-!nown)hrase# 7od too! o%r heads o%t3 to s%bstit%te "or the wordredeem+3 .o when the Bambara tribesmen read o" 7odsredem)tion# they get the image o" 7od sending ,is .on as)ayment to ta!e o%r heads o%t o" the collar3 o" sin and death+

>rent yo% glad that $es%s# the .on o" man# came and too!o%r heads o%t3 Eredeemed %s "or all eternityFG

What to do:,a(e each "amily member name one thing abo%t $es%sthey lo(e+,a(e each "amily member name one )erson they wantto see redeemed,a(e each "amily member )ray "or lost lo(ed ones and"riends+

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The Son Of GodDecember H

Bible Reading: $ohn ;:1-1I

Key Verse: Verse 1I & or .od so loved the "orld,that he gave his onl$ begotten Son, that "hosoeverbelieveth in him should not perish, but haveeverlasting life!Key Words:or .od so loved the "orld

>t least on "orty-"o%r di""erent occasions# $es%s is re"erredto as the .on o" 7od in the boo! o" $ohn+ Witho%t a do%bt#

the most well-!nown o" the "orty-"o%r (erses is $ohn ;:1Iwhich tells %s abo%t the lo(e o" 7od+

7ods lo(e ne(er "ails+ orinthians 1;:8# /harit$ neverfaileth!


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More than "i"ty years ago at $ohn ,o)!ins 0ni(ersity inBaltimore# Maryland# a yo%ng sociology )ro"essor assigned hisclass to a city sl%m to inter(iew two h%ndred boys+ 'n thebasis o" yo%r "indings# )redict their "%t%re#3 he said+

.hoc!ed at what they "o%nd in the sl%ms# the st%dentsestimated that ninety )ercent o" the boys inter(iewed wo%ldsomeday ser(e time in )rison+

/wenty-"i(e years )assed and the same )ro"essor as!edanother class to try to locate the s%r(i(ors o" the two h%ndredboys and com)are what had ha))ened+ '" the one h%ndredeighty o" the original boys located# only "o%r had e(er been toail+

Why had the )redictions not t%rned o%tG > commondenominator was so%ght in their li(es# some (al%e orin"l%ence that may ha(e made the di""erence+ /hro%gh moreinter(iews# it was "o%nd that o(er one h%ndred o" the menremembered ha(ing the same high school teacher# Miss'Ro%r!e# who had been a tremendo%s in"l%ence on them atthe time+ >"ter a long search# .helia 'Ro%r!e was "o%nd in an%rsing home in Mem)his# /ennessee# now se(enty years old+

When as!ed "or her eJ)lanation# she was )%AAled+ >ll cansay#3 she concl%ded# is that lo(ed them all+3$%st thin! o" the im)act $es%s has had on %s# beca%se 7od

lo(ed %s all+

What to do:/han! 7od "or ,is wonder"%l lo(e+

.hare ,is lo(e with others+@o(e ,im bac! by yo%r hristian ser(ice+

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The Power Of JesusDecember 5

Bible Reading: >cts 1:1-8Key Verse: Verse 8 & 0ut $e shall receive po"er,after that the ol$ .host is come upon $ou: and $e


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shall be "itnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and inall Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermostpart of the earth!

Key Words:0ut $e shall receive po"er

/he boo! o" >cts is o"ten re"erred to as the >cts o" the>)ostles# b%t the boo! is more the >cts o" $es%s thro%gh theli(es o" the >)ostles+

n >cts we see s%ch miracles as $es%s ascension %Acts1:11+,sal(ation %Acts 1:)2+# $es%s brightness %Acts (:)+* b%t)rimarily in >cts we see the )ower o" $es%s+

/here is a great ill%stration o" $es%s )ower as re(ealed in

the li"e o" D+ @+ Moody+n the "all o" 18=1# when Moody was s)ea!ing inBroo!lyn# ew or!# his congregation dro))ed to eighteen+Moody des)ised "ail%re+ >nd then one night# a"ter the ser(icewas o(er# an %n!nown woman said to him# LWe ha(e )lenty o")reaching in Broo!lyn# what we need is to see $es%s+

/hat bro!e his %n"r%it"%l methods "ore(er+ /he neJta"ternoon he ga(e a sim)le Bible reading abo%t $es%s and the

)ower o" the @ord came down+ 4rom that day on# all D+ @+Moody cared abo%t was )eo)le seeing $es%s thro%gh his)reaching and thro%gh his li"e+3

/he )ower o" 7od comes %)on o%r li(es when we tellabo%t $es%s E3e shall be "itnesses unto &e3F+ .ome o" thegreatest testimonies this )astor has e(er heard began with thewords# @et me tell yo% what $es%s did "or me+3

.o# the boo! o" >cts re(eals the )ower o" $es%s as seen

thro%gh the li(es o" the >)ostles# and ho)e"%lly# thro%gh o%rli(es as well+

What to do:@et others see the )ower o" $es%s thro%gh ,is )oweron yo%r li"e+

The Gospel Of Salvation


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December I

Bible Reading: Romans 1:1-1IKey Verse: Verse 1I4 or # am not ashamed of thegospel of /hrist: for it is the po"er of .od untosalvation to ever$ one that believeth5 to the Je" first,and also to the .ree'!

Key Words:or # am not ashamed of the gospel of/hrist

/he boo! o" Romans s)ea!s o" the gos)el more than anyother boo! in the Word o" 7od+

6a%l tells %s in (erse one that he is separated unto thegospel!n (erse nine# 6a%l tells %s that he ser(es in the gos)el+

/hat is the reason "or his ser(ice+n (erse "i"teen# he says# # am read$ to preach the

gospel,!which brings me to (erse siJteen where 6a%l says# #am not ashamed of the gospel!

/he gos)el o" sal(ation is what 6a%l li(ed "or+ " we "ail to

gi(e o%t the gos)el# many will )erish+>sian missionary# M+ V+ Varghese# told o" a common)lace

tragedy in ndia+ >n ndian woman# >lila# too! her in"ant sonto the ri(er 7anges+ With tears )o%ring "rom her eyes# shestood there "or a long time with the water la))ing at thebabys "eet# then she threw her siJ month-old son into theri(er+

Varghese "o%nd her wee)ing on the ban!s o" the 7anges+

/hro%gh her sobs she said# /he )roblems in my home are toomany and my sins are hea(y on my heart# so o""ered the best had to the goddess 7anges+3

/he missionary gently told her o" $es%s lo(e and"orgi(eness+

.he tear"%lly res)onded# ha(e ne(er heard this be"ore+Why co%ldnt yo% ha(e come earlierG My child wo%ld notha(e had to die+3

>ll o(er this world )eo)le are des)erate "or what only 7od

can )ro(ide: sal(ation /hats what the gos)el is


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What to do:Be a witness daily+

>s! 7od to o)en doors "or yo% to witness+Remember# )eo)le need the @ord+

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Jesus & GiftsDecember =

Bible Reading: orinthians 12:1-12# 1H:Hnother came to him saying# L/he )reacher came to the"illing station+ >s "illed his tan!# he told me abo%t $es%s and ga(e my heart to the @ord+

eJt# $ohn met a throng o" )eo)le who said# L want tothan! yo% "or those st%dents yo% hel)ed+ /hey )reached the

gos)el to my "amily# and we "o%nd the @ord+,e neJt met those o" strange tong%es who said# L/han!yo%# brother# "or sending %s the gos)el across the seas+4inally old $ohn came to ,allel%ah .N%are and# t%rning to anangel# he said# L "eel sorry "or yo% angels+ o% ha(e ne(er!nown what it is to be sa(ed by the blood o" $es%s# My @ord+

$ohn Rasc%s m%sed a moment# then added# L>nd yo% donot !now what it is to trans"orm the )ossessions o" earth into

the treas%res o" hea(en+ L.ir# re)lied the angel# Lall we do is%st watch it "rom the streets o" glory+3

What to do:Do not %st be a recei(er o" 7ods blessing# be a gi(erso others can be blessed+>lways remember# yo% cannot o%t-gi(e 7od

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Jesus And Living By aith

December

Bible Reading: 7alatians 2:1I-21


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Key Verse: Verse 2


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sins# e(en mine+Wesley became a "amo%s e(angelist and social re"ormer#

with the world as his )arish+ B%t he himsel" was won to hristby the )ower o" a small gro%) whose "aith in hrist was strongeno%gh to !ee) them %n"la))able in a storm+3

What to do:Does yo%r "aith draw others to $es%sG4aith comes thro%gh two )rimary channels+

1+ /he Word ERomans 1


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str%c! him in the breast# !noc!ing him to the "loor+ ,is)artner# thin!ing he was dead# grabbed his carbine and beganto blast away with both his g%n and the g%n o" his "riend+ ,erecei(ed three b%llet wo%nds# b%t when the "ighting was o(er#not one enemy soldier was le"t standing+ /o his amaAement#the lie%tenant was not dead+ /he "orce o" the b%llet had str%c!his breast and had st%ng him se(erely# b%t he was ali(e+Wondering how he s%r(i(ed# the lie%tenant reached into his)oc!et located o(er his heart and )%lled o%t a Bible+ /heb%llet had gone thro%gh the boo!s o" 7enesis# CJod%s#@e(itic%s# %mbers# De%teronomy# $osh%a# $%dges# R%th# Q .am%el# Q Kings# Q hronicles# CAra# ehemiah#

Csther# $ob# 6salms# and had sto))ed on 6ro(erbs 21:;1# 9hehorse is prepared against the da$ of battle: but safet$ is ofthe 6ord!

What to do:6%t on the armor o" 7od daily+0se yo%r o""ensi(e wea)ons as well - 7ods Wordand )rayer+

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Jesus, Our StrengthDecember 11

Bible Reading: 6hili))ians H:1-1;Key Verse: Verse 1) 4 # can do all things through/hrist "hich strengtheneth me!

Key Words: strengtheneth me

>s a belie(er# my strength comes "rom $es%s+ B%t to bemore s)eci"ic: my strength comes "rom my oy o" ha(ing a

)ro)er relationshi) with $es%s# "or it is when am wea! that$es%s becomes strong+Bob Wieland lost both o" his legs in Viet am+ 4or an

athlete with dreams o" a )ro s)orts career# the tragedy wases)ecially di""ic%lt to bear+ Bob was s)ared the destr%ction o"


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bitterness thro%gh his reliance %)on $es%s and ,is Word+ do the best can to a))ly the Word o" 7od to my li"e# beca%se !now that it wor!s+3

Bob did ta!e 7od at ,is Word and cast all his cares %)on,im %# eter *:;+,and claimed that he co%ld really only bestrong thro%gh hrist3 %hilippians 8:1)+ Maybe thateJ)lains why Bob# who wal!s on his hands# has com)leted athree-year wal! across >merica# the race across >merica on ac%stom-b%ilt bicycle# the ew or! and @os >ngelesmarathons# the ,awaiian ronman /riathalon & and on to) o"those "eats he can bench )ress 5


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/he word )reeminence is a military term meaning to) inran!+3 $es%s is to be to) in ran! & to) in )riorities o" li"e & not%st in a "ew areas o" li"e# b%t as o%r teJt says in all things+3

ears ago a )regnant woman stood in the yard o" herBaltimore# Maryland# home and shoo! her "ist at 7od+ n atorrential rainstorm# she sho%ted (%lgarities at 7od andta%nted ,im to stri!e her dead i" ,e did indeed eJist+ .hewo%ld later tell her son# Bill# that she didnt care i" he becamea dr%g addict# ban! robber# or e(en bro%ght home a boy"riendinstead o" a girl"riend# all she wanted was "or him ne(er tobecome a hristian+

Bill M%rray did become a hristian at the age o" thirty-

three# and his mother# Madelyn M%rray ',are# disownedhim+ ,e had done the one thing she had ho)ed he wo%ldne(er do+ ,is li"e had been trans"ormed "rom addictions with)ornogra)hy and alcohol+ ,e came to !now the )eace thathad el%ded him all his li"e+ Bitterness began to loosen itsstronghold on his heart# and he started gi(ing rather thanta!ing "or the "irst time in his li"e+

Bill M%rray went on to say# "o%nd the !ey to sal(ation

thro%gh $es%s hrist# b%t the !ey to )eace is thro%gh hristbeing )reeminent3 Eto) in ran!# to) in )riorityF+ am con(inced that today we ha(e a lot o" )eo)le who

ha(e "o%nd the !ey to sal(ation# b%t the !ey to )eace is stilllost+

What to do:6%t $es%s "irst# ma!e ,im @ord E)reeminentF inyo%r li"e in all things+

Jesus As The #o!ing $ingDecember 1;


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Bible Reading: /hessalonians H:1-18Key Verse: Verse 1 - 7herefore comfort one another"ith these "ords!

Key Words: 7herefore comfort one another "ith

these "ords

n the boo! o" /hessalonians# we see $es%s as theoming King+ snt it great to !now that when the lost worldthin!s we are losers# we can ta!e com"ort in !nowing that weare on the winning teamG

$an%ary ;# 1;# will certainly be remembered in both,o%ston and B%""alo+ ,o%ston 'ilers and B%""alo Bills "ans#

along with 4@ (iewers "rom across the co%ntry# watched asthe Bills engineered the greatest comebac! in 4@ history+/he 'ilers led the "ootball game at hal"-time 28 & ;+%arterbac! Warren Moon had %st com)leted the best hal" o"his career+

/he hal"-time show "eat%red tal! o" whom ,o%stonwo%ld )lay neJt wee! as their last sto) be"ore the .%)er Bowl+Boomer Csiason warned his )res%m)t%o%s co-commentators

that 4ran! Reich was %st the man to )er"orm a mirac%lo%scomebac!+ C(en Warren Moon %sed hal"-time to warn his%bilant teammates that the game was "ar "rom o(er+ B%twhen B%bba McDowell o)ened the second-hal" with a 58-yardto%chdown interce)tion that boosted the 'ilers to a ;5 & ;lead# a comebac! seemed (irt%ally im)ossible+

C(erything changed in %st twenty-one min%tes+ /he"ans at Rich .tadi%m in 'rchard 6ar!# ew or!# saw a most

%nbelie(able e(ent %n"old be"ore their eyes+ /he Billso(ercame a ;2-)oint de"icit in the second hal" and won theball game on an o(ertime "ield goal+ 4ootball "ans e(erywherewill ne(er "orget that game+

n a world "%ll o" sin# s%""ering# and in%stice# it seemsas i" 7od has been con(incingly o%tscored by .atan+ Victorya))ears to be nothing more than a wist"%l dream+ When s%chtho%ghts in(ade yo%r mind# t%rn yo%r attention to that

"ootball game+ " s%ch %nli!ely t%rnaro%nds can trans)ire inthe world o" s)orts# then yo% can rest ass%red that 7od isgearing %) "or the most incredible (ictory o" all times+


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What to do:Kee) loo!ing %)# $es%s is coming again+

@i(e as tho%gh $es%s co%ld come bac! today+om"ort others with the !nowledge o" the soonret%rn o" $es%s hrist+

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Jesus, The #o!ing MessiahDecember 1H

Bible Reading: /hessalonians 2:1-12Key Verse: Verse 12 - 9hat the$ all might be damned"ho believed not the truth, but had pleasure inunrighteousness!Key Words: 9hat the$ all might be damned "ho

believed not the truth

Both o" the boo!s written to the ch%rch o" /hessalonicadeal with the second coming o" $es%s+

read the "ollowing by ,arry ronside and "o%nd it N%itea))ro)riate "or this de(otion+

When was a little boy# sometimes went down to thebeach# "i(e miles "rom o%r home in ali"ornia# and )layed on

the sands o" Monterey Bay+ .ome little distance %) the beachthere is a great stretch o" blac! sand* it is blac! beca%se itcontains a great deal o" iron+ can remember ta!ing a boJ o"sand and drawing a magnet thro%gh it+ 4ine blac! grainscl%ng to the magnet & )articles o" iron+ )%t these grains inanother boJ# and drew my magnet thro%gh the sand again+Cach time got some more grains# remo(ed the )articles o"iron %ntil nothing was le"t in the boJ b%t sand+ /ho%gh

co%ld not tell the di""erence between the sand and the iron onthe beach# the magnet co%ld tell the di""erence immediately+,ad been able to %se a stronger magnet# co%ld ha(e ta!enall o" the iron o%t o" a large boJ o" sand in a moment+

/he day is going to come when the @ord $es%s hrist will


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rise "rom the throne o" 7od where ,e is now answering theattac!s o" .atan %)on %s# by telling the 4ather that we belongto ,im beca%se o" ,is wor! on the cross+ When ,e rises "romthat throne# it is time "or %dgment to begin+ B%t 7od tells %sthat be"ore %dgment comes# ,e is going to do a wonder"%lthing & li!e the wor! o" the magnet )ic!ing the grains o" irono%t o" the grains o" sand+ ,e is going to remo(e "rom theearth all who are tr%sting hrist# and ta!e them to be with,imsel"+3

What to do:Ma!e yo%r calling and election s%re@i(e "or hrist daily+Witness "or hrist daily+

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Jesus, Our MediatorDecember 15

Bible Reading: /imothy 2:1-=Key Verse: Verse 5- or there is one .od, and onemediator bet"een .od and men, the man /hristJesus5!Key Words: one mediator


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get to Detroit# was told that needed to get onto a certain"reeway# and that "reeway wo%ld ta!e me to my destination+B%t was told i" yo% miss that "reeway# yo%re in tro%ble+ ttoo! me some doing b%t once managed to "ind the "reeway# ittoo! me straight to Detroit+ am than!"%l "or the man whosaid# L/here is only one way+3

o% !now# am than!"%l that someone told me that thereis only one way to 7od# and that is thro%gh $es%s hrist+ ,eis o%r Mediator# and ,e is the only Mediator Who can getthro%gh to 7od+ /han! the @ord "or $es%s hrist# o%rMediator

What to do:

Ma!e s%re yo%r Mediator is $es%s hrist+We li(e in a world that %ses medi%ms EdemonsF+.tay away "rom the "alse occ%lts and religions# and staywith $es%s hrist+

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%itnessing or JesusDecember 1I

Bible Reading: /imothy 2:1-15Key Verse: Verse 1; - #f "e believe not, $et he abideth

faithful: he cannot den$ himself!Key Words: he abideth faithful

>s yo% read the boo! o" /imothy# yo% begin to see that$es%s was a "aith"%l witness+ t matters not i" we belie(e#$es%s will still be a "aith"%l witness* ,e cannot deny ,imsel"+

ow this raises an interesting N%estion: >re we being a"aith"%l witnessG

M%hammed >li no longer "loats li!e a b%tter"ly#3 b%t letme ass%re yo%# he still stings li!e a bee+3 /he legendaryboJer has t%rned his energies toward witnessing# b%t it is not"or hrist+ 'ne re)orter said# /his is a man who is as s%re


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abo%t his )%r)ose in li"e as he was abo%t his talents in thering+3 >li once said# wasnt %st )%t here to boJ+ BoJingmade me "amo%s and ga(e )eo)le a reason to listen to me+ was )%t here to teach the slamic "aith+3

Recently two re)orters %m)ed at >lis in(itation to come%) to his )ri(ate s%ite a"ter a banN%et+ /hey went eJ)ecting toget an eJcl%si(e inter(iew+ nstead# they got an ho%r o")reaching+ /he "ormer three-time hea(yweight boJingcham)ion had a twenty-)age doc%ment containing what hebelie(ed to be discre)ancies in the Bible+ ,e then said#6eo)le ha(e arg%ed "or cent%ries abo%t which religion is rightand which religion is wrong+3 /hen wa(ing the %ran in

"ront o" them# he said# /his is the tr%th+3ow# while M%hammed >li was a great boJer# he is not agreat theologian+ ,e is greatly decei(ed* b%t his enth%siasm#Aeal# and )%r)ose sho%ld certainly be an ins)iration to thoseo" %s who ha(e and !now the tr%th abo%t the 4aith"%l 'ne#$es%s hrist+

What to do:Be "aith"%l in yo%r witness+Be bold# b%t lo(ing in yo%r witness+6ray "or 7od to o)en doors o" o))ort%nity "or yo% towitness+

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Jesus, Our opeDecember 1=

Bible Reading: /it%s 1:1-15Key Verse: Verse 2 - #n hope of eternal life, "hich.od, that cannot lie, promised before the "orld

began5!Key Words:#n hope of eternal life

/he boo! o" /it%s shows %s $es%s as o%r Blessed ,o)e+ n


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cha)ter one and (erse two# $es%s is o%r ,o)e o" Cternal @i"e+n cha)ter two and (erse thirteen# $es%s is o%r oming ,o)e#and in cha)ter three and (erse se(en# again $es%s is o%r ,o)eo" Cternal @i"e+

,a(e yo% e(er st%died that word ho)eG Best-sellinga%thor Barbara $ohnson says that she li(es by the motto# @i"eis abo%t 1


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Key Verse: Verse 1I Q 1= =ot no" as a servant, butabove a servant, a brother beloved, speciall$ to me,but ho" much more unto thee, both in the flesh, andin the 6ord> #f thou count me therefore a partner,receive him as m$self!

Key Words:#f thou count me therefore a partner,receive him as m$self

n the boo! o" 6hilemon# we see $es%s as a 4riend Whointercedes and releases %s "rom bondage %verse 1?+

t is beca%se o" what $es%s has done "or %s in releasing %s"rom the bondage o" sin that we can certainly say# /o 7od be

the glory+3ts thro%gh $es%s that 7odly "riendshi)s are bo%nd

together+$ohn 4awcett was con(erted as a teenager listening to

7eorge White"ield+ ,e oined the Ba)tists and was ordainedon $%ly ;1# 1=I5+ ,e began )astoring a )oor ch%rch inWainsgate# "inding time here and there "or writing+ ,iswritings s)read abroad# and the little ch%rch "eared they

wo%ld lose their )astor to a larger )lace+ 4awcett wonderedthe same thing# lamenting in his diary that his "amily wasgrowing "aster than his income+

/he call came "rom @ondons "amo%s arters @aneh%rch+ /hin! o" it3 4awcett told his wi"e+ /hey want %s in@ondon to ta!e the )lace o" the late Dr+ 7ill at that greatch%rch ts almost %nbelie(able3 /he "ollowing .%nday hebro!e the news to his ch%rch# then began )ac!ing+ Boo!s#

dishes# )ict%res# and "%rnit%re were crated "or the o(erlando%rney to the worlds largest city+ When the day o" de)art%recame# ch%rch members assembled and bra(ely tried to holdtheir tears+ 4inally e(erything was loaded b%t one boJ# and4awcett entered the ho%se to retrie(e it+ /here he "o%nd hiswi"e dee) in tho%ght+

$ohn#3 she said# (oice brea!ing# do yo% thin! were doingthe right thingG Will we e(er "ind a congregation to lo(e %s

and hel) %s with the @ords wor! li!e this gro%) hereG3Do yo% thin! were too hasty in thisG3 $ohn as!ed+es+ thin! we sho%ld stay right here and ser(e these

)eo)le+3


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$ohn was silent a moment# "or his heart# too# had beenbrea!ing+ ,e nodded# was so o(eroyed when the call camethat ne(er really )rayed abo%t it li!e a minister sho%ld+3

/hey wal!ed onto the )orch# called the )eo)le together#re(ealed their change o" heart# and amid oyo%s tears%nloaded their wagons+ 4awcett stayed at Wainsgate the resto" his li"e# b%t not in obsc%rity+ '%t o" this eJ)erience# hewrote the world-"amo%s hymn:

Blest be the tie that binds'%r hearts in hristian lo(e+

/he "ellowshi) o" !indred mindss li!e to that abo(e+

What to do:C(al%ate yo%r "riendshi) with $es%s+ s it realGC(al%ate yo%r "riendshi) with others+ >re they7odly "riendsG

99999999999999999999

Jesus And aithDecember 1

Bible Reading: ,ebrews 11:1-1! 7en%ine sym)athy# o%t o" a heart o" lo(eand com)assion# is certainly hard to come by these days+ Weseem to be li(ing in a day o" religion#3 not hristianity+ n thestory told by hrist o" the good .amaritan# the )riest and

@e(ite were religio%s# b%t the .amaritan was hristian3 in hisact o" sym)athy+ /he "ollowing ill%stration )ro(es my )oint:Madam#3 he a)ologiAed in a bro!en (oice# wish to draw

yo%r attention to the terrible )light o" a )oor "amily in yo%rneighborhood+ /he "ather is dead# the mother is too ill towor!# and the nine children are h%ngry+ Moreo(er# they areabo%t to be t%rned o%t into the cold streets %nless theneighbors )ay their rent+3 >t this )oint the neighbor as!ed#

>nd who are yo%# .irG3 Bowing his head in embarrassment#he shee)ishly said# am the landlord+3

/he moral o" this story is this: >re we tr%lyinterested in others# or are we interested inothers beca%se it a""ects %sG" we !new what hearts are aching "or# thecom"orts we might bring#" we !new what so%ls were yearning "or# the

s%nshine we co%ld "ling+" we !new what "eet are weary# wal!ing)athways ro%ghly laid#We wo%ld N%ic!ly hasten "orward# stretching"orth o%r hands to aid+" we !new what "riends aro%nd %s "eel# a wantthey ne(er tell#

/hat some word which we ha(e s)o!en#

6ained or wo%nded where it "ell#We wo%ld s)ea! in accents tender#/o each "riend we chanced to meet#We wo%ld gi(e to each one "reely# smiles o"


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sym)athy so sweet+--.elected

What to do:

Very easy: Do %nto others#

.ay %nto others#

>ct toward others#

/reat others# as yo% wo%ld ha(e them do to

yo%+

99999999999999999999

Jesus, The (nduring %ordDecember 21

Bible Reading: 6eter 1Key Verse: Verse 25 0ut the "ord of the 6ordendureth for ever And this is the "ord "hich b$ thegospel is preached unto $ou!Key Words: the "ord of the 6ord endureth for

ever

/here are certain abiding elements in the hristian li"ewhich are always constant# %nchanging & circ%mstances

change# moods change# the economy changes & b%t the tr%tho" 7ods Word will end%re "ore(er+ >s we b%ild %)on the solid%nchanging Word o" 7od# we are able to "ace the challengesand changes in this li"e* "or the )resent is bearable beca%sethe "%t%re is sec%re

>n ancient !ing once charged his wise men to create asentence which co%ld "ore(er be (iewed and be a))ro)riate atall times and in all sit%ations+ /hey "inally )resented to him

engra(ed on a stone these words# >nd this too shall )assaway+3 ,ow tr%e "or those who )lace all their ha))iness# oyand )eace in this world+

.ome years ago a trolley car in >tlanta# 7eorgia# b%m)edinto a lam) )ost called the Cternal 4lame o" the on"ederacy+


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/he b%m) ca%sed the "lame to go o%t+ n ew or! they litthe eternal "lame o" the 0nited ations+ t stayed lit abo%t tenmin%tes be"ore going o%t+ ,itler said his /hird Reich wo%ldlast one tho%sand years* it lasted less than one tho%sand days+

es# the world will )ass away with all o" its l%sts and)leas%res* b%t the Word o" 7od and those who are born againwill abide "ore(er+ @i"e comes to )ass# b%t the Word willend%re "ore(er

What to do:

.tay close to the Boo! that end%res "ore(er+ >s yo% read the Word# remember that $es%s is theWord o" 7od+ >s yo% learn the Word# yo% learn moreabo%t $es%s+

99999999999999999999

Jesus, Our SaviorDecember 22

Bible Reading: 6eter ;Key Verse: Verse 18 - 0ut gro" in grace, and in the'no"ledge of our 6ord and Saviour Jesus /hrist 9ohim be glor$ both no" and for ever Amen!

Key Words: our 6ord and Saviour, Jesus /hrist

n the boo! o" 6eter# we see $es%s hrist as o%r .a(ior+'n "i(e di""erent occasions in this small b%t )ower"%l boo!#6eter mentions $es%s as o%r .a(ior: 6eter 1:1# 11# 2:2


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born of him!ow# this raises a N%estion: do yo% h%nger and thirst a"ter

righteo%snessGn the >ntarctic s%mmer o" 1


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Key Verse: Verse 2< - And the shepherds returned,glorif$ing and praising .od for all the things thatthe$ had heard and seen, as it "as told unto them!

Key Words: glorif$ing and praising .od

/here is a mo(ement a"oot today to ha(e 7od totallyremo(ed "rom o%r eJistence+ /his is not %st the ranting o" aBa)tist )reacher# this is a "act+

7od is not allowed in o%r )%blic schools b%t

e(ol%tion is+

othing religio%s or symbolic o" 7od is allowedon go(ernment )ro)erty or in go(ernment

b%ildings+ Many de)artment stores ha(e remo(ed hrist

"rom hristmas re"erring to hristmas as theholiday season+3 /he hristmas tree has becomein many cases the holiday tree+3 hristmassongs are re"erred to as holiday songs+3 ow "orsome reason this %st does not "it+ an yo%imagine singing# ,a(e yo%rsel" a merry little

holiday3 or m dreaming o" a white holidayG3 /he Bible is not considered a credible a%thority3

on s%ch s%bects as abortion and homoseJ%ality+

/hose o" %s who belie(e in 7od and are doers o"

the Word are called eJtreme right wingers3 andare considered a threat to society+

n o%r society >llah# B%ddha# on"%ci%s# and

others are eN%al to the tr%e and li(ing 7od+/his raises the N%estion o" why and how ha(e we

deteriorated to s%ch a lowly state o" eJistenceG4irst o" all# .atan is at wor!+ We are told in C)hesians

I:12# or "e "restle not against flesh and blood, butagainst principalities, against po"ers, against the rulers ofthe dar'ness of this "orld, against spiritual "ic'edness inhigh places! t is interesting to note that there are three

enco%nters between 7od and .atan+ n the "irst enco%nter insaiah# .atan wanted to be %st li!e 7od+ n the secondenco%nter in Matthew# .atan wanted 7od to worshi) him* andin the third enco%nter in Re(elation# .atan wants to destroy


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7od+ n each enco%nter# .atan desires more )ower anda%thority+ Well# we are now li(ing in the last days when .atanwants to see 7od destroyed# which is one o" the reasons we"ind o%rsel(es in this de)ra(ed s)irit%al condition+

.econdly# society is to blame+ /he lost world sees 7od asthe enemy standing in the way o" their li(ing as they choose+Remember# it was the )eo)le who yelled# r%ci"y him# cr%ci"yhim+3

/hirdly# we are to blame+ es# we are born-again belie(ersb%t we ha(e "ailed to stand "or 7od+ n the )ast# we were)assi(e abo%t which %dges and )olitical leaders were goinginto o""ice+ We were ha))y so long as we had o%r ho%se# car# a

little )leas%re# and o%r retirement )rogram in )lace+ We wentto slee) on the ob while the %ngodly "orces o" e(il were atwor!+

.o now what do we doG1+ 6ray %## /hronicles ;:18+2+ Write the heads o" de)artment store chains s%ch as

Wal-Mart# .ears# Kohls# and /arget+ /ell them to )%thrist bac! in hristmas+

;+ Vote "or )oliticians who stand "or right+H+ Witness and s)read the gos)el+5+ Be "aith"%l to 7od yo%rsel" thro%gh )rayer# witnessing#

ch%rch attendance# and yes# e(en "inancial gi(ing+

What to do:>))ly the "i(e )rinci)les abo(e+

99999999999999999999

Jesus, The #arpenterDecember 25


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Bible Reading: Mar! I:1-1;Key Verse: Verse ; - #s not this the carpenter, the sonof &ar$, the brother of James, and Joses, and ofJuda, and Simon> and are not his sisters here "ithus> And the$ "ere offended at him!

Key Words:#s not this the carpenter

D%ring $es%s earthly ministry he ta%ght abo%t many(ocations+ ,e ta%ght abo%t "arming+ ,e said# > sower went"orth to sow#3 b%t $es%s was not a "armer+ ,e ta%ght abo%tshe)herding+ ,e said# am the good .he)herd#3 b%t $es%searthly ministry was not that o" a she)herd+ $es%s was a

teacher# a )hysician# b%t $es%s chose the li"e o" a car)enter+@et me gi(e yo% "o%r reasons why ,e chose this as ,is earthly(ocation+

4irst o" all# ,e was born into a car)enters home+ /he$ewish )eo)le were eJ)ecting their Messiah to come as aKing+ /hey were eJ)ecting a great earthly conN%eror+ B%t$es%s came to conN%er sin# not )eo)le+ ,e came as acar)enter+

.econdly# ,e came to do the wor! o" a car)enter+ >car)enter b%ilds and re)airs+ $ohn 1:; says# All things "eremade b$ him and "ithout him "as not an$thing made that"as made! $es%s can b%ild or re)air yo%r li"e i" yo% will let,im+

/hirdly# $es%s "ollowed a car)enters methods+ >car)enter loo!s at a )iece o" wood and sees )otential whereyo% and sim)ly see a )iece o" wood+ $es%s loo!s at %s and

sees )otential+ >rent yo% glad $es%s has ne(er gi(en %) onthe )otential ,e seesG /he $ews loo!ed at 6a%l and saw aAealo%s 6harisee+ $es%s loo!ed at 6a%l and saw a missionary+/hey loo!ed at 6eter and saw a "isherman* $es%s loo!ed at6eter and saw a )astor+ When no one else belie(es in yo%#$es%s does+ .o belie(e in ,im

4o%rthly# $es%s died a car)enters death+ $es%s was notstoned to death# nor was ,e b%rned at the sta!e* b%t ,e was

nailed to a tree "or each o" %s+ $es%s died a car)enters deathin order that o%r hristmas may be merry+

4rom Mrs+ Ro%se and me# Merry hristmas


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What to do:,a(e a blessed hristmas

99999999999999999999

Jesus & (verlasting LoveDecember 2I

Bible Reading: $ohnKey Verse: Verse ; - .race be "ith $ou, merc$, andpeace, from .od the ather, and from the 6ord Jesus/hrist, the Son of the ather, in truth and love!

Key Words:Son of the ather, in truth and love

/he boo! o" $ohn is one o" my "a(orite boo!s in theBible+ 4o%r times in the brie" b%t )otent boo! we read abo%t

lo(e+n (erse one# $ohn tells the elect lady that he lo(es her and

her "amily in the tr%th Ein $es%sF+n (erse three# again we see that $ohn lo(es her in the

tr%th+n (erse "i(e# $ohn tells her that we are to lo(e one

another+>nd in (erse siJ# $ohn de"ines lo(e as wal!ing in the

commandments o" 7od+ recently read abo%t a wi"e who showed great lo(e "or her

h%sband+ 'n May 2# 1I2# a dramatic ad(ertisementa))eared in the .an 4rancisco CJaminer+3 /he ad read# dont want my h%sband to die+3 t seems as tho%gh herh%sband was to be eJec%ted "or a crime she said he didntcommit+ .he goes on to say# will o""er my ser(ices "or yearsas a maid or a ho%se!ee)er to any attorney who will de"end

and (indicate him+3'ne o" .an 4ranciscos leading attorneys# Vincent

,allinan# read the ad and contacted 7ladys Kidd# who had)laced the ad+ t was her h%sband# Robert Kidd# who was


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going on trial "or slaying an elderly man+ Kidds "inger)rintshad been "o%nd on a blood-stained antiN%e sword near the(ictims sho)+ D%ring the trial# ,allinan )ro(ed that theantiN%e sword was not the m%rder wea)on+ /he %ry# a"terele(en days o" deliberation# "o%nd Kidd not g%ilty+ ,allinanre"%sed Mrs+ Kidds o""er o" ten years o" ser(it%de+

t is beca%se o" the lo(e o" $es%s hrist that yo% can be"o%nd not g%ilty#3 b%t yo% m%st acce)t $es%s as yo%r )ayment"or yo%r crimes o" sin & then yo% will be declared not g%ilty3beca%se o" the @ord $es%s+

What to do:" yo% are not sa(ed# acce)t the lo(e o""er o"sal(ation today+" yo% are sa(ed# than! the @ord "or lo(ing yo% so(ery m%ch+

99999999999999999999

Jesus, Our TruthDecember 2=

Bible Reading: $ohnKey Verse: Verse ; - or # reDoiced greatl$, "hen the

brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee,even as thou "al'est in the truth!Key Words: "al'est in the truth

n $ohn# we see $es%s as o%r /r%th+ .iJ times in the"o%rteen (erses $ohn shares with %s the tr%th o" $es%s+

n (erse one# he lo(es in the tr%th+

n (erse three# he wal!s in the tr%th

n (erse three# he testi"ies o" the tr%th+ n (erse "o%r# he again wal!s in tr%th+

We are to be "ellow hel)ers o" the tr%th+

We see a good re)ort o" the tr%th+


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" we are to be tr%th"%l# we m%st li(e in hrist+ read the"ollowing in regard to tr%th# or rather the absence o" tr%th+

/he boo!# /he Day >merica /old the /r%th# came o%t in11+ n this wor!# research showed ninety-one )ercent o">mericans lie ro%tinely# while thirty-siJ )ercent con"ess todar!# im)ortant lies+ Cighty-siJ )ercent lie reg%larly to)arents# se(enty-"i(e )ercent lie to "riends# se(enty-three)ercent to siblings# siJty-nine )ercent to s)o%ses# eighty-one)ercent lie abo%t "eelings# "orty-three )ercent concerningincome# and "orty )ercent abo%t seJ+

6sychologist Michael @ewis o" R%tgers 0ni(ersity says

there are three ty)es o" lies: E1F @ies to )rotect "eelings# s%chas saying a gi"t is nice when yo% act%ally hate it* E2F @ies toa(oid )%nishment* and E;F @ies o" sel"-dece)tion+ '%rbeha(ior re)%lses others# b%t we lie to o%rsel(es and blamethe reection on something or someone else+ > woman gi(eshersel" a breast eJam and notices an %n%s%al l%m) b%t tellshersel" e(erything is "ine+ @ewis "eels these lies o" sel"-dece)tion may be the most "reN%ent lies+

/hat co%ld eJ)lain why so many )eo)le reect the gos)el+/hey(e lied to themsel(es abo%t their need "or "orgi(enessand 7ods reN%irement o" commitment to hrist+ n this ageo" obsessi(e lying# remember who is the L"ather o" lies %John:88+,and who )romised to gi(e the Ltr%th that shall ma!eyo% "ree %John :)2+ + .+ @ewis noted# LWe o"ten err eitherby ascribing too m%ch or too little )ower to the "ather o" lies+3

/he only way to !ee) "rom lying is by li(ing in tr%th+

What to do:Be tr%th"%l with 7od+Be tr%th"%l with others+Be tr%th"%l with yo%rsel"?b%t base yo%r tr%th on$es%s hrist+

Jesus, Our Se"urityDecember 28


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Bible Reading: $%de 1-25Key Verse: Verse 2H - =o" unto him that is able to'eep $ou from falling, and to present $ou faultlessbefore the presence of his glor$ "ith eceeding Do$,!

Key Words: 'eep $ou from falling

/he boo! o" $%de describes "or %s "alse teachers who cre)tin %nawares %verse four+ t is beca%se o" these "alse teachersthat $%de enco%rages %s to?

B%ild %) o%rsel(es on o%r most holy "aith E(ersetwentyF# and

Kee) o%rsel(es in the lo(e o" 7od E(erse twenty-oneF+When we come to (erse twenty-"o%r# $%de reminds %s#

tho%gh# that in s)ite o" all o" o%r e""orts# $es%s is %ltimatelythe 'ne who will !ee) %s "rom "alling+ $es%s is o%r sec%rity+We need not "ear "alling# or losing o%r sal(ation+

When the 7olden 7ate Bridge in .an 4rancisco was beingb%ilt# wor!ers de(elo)ed a great "ear o" "alling+ Bridgeb%ilders ha(e a s%)erstition that one man will die "or e(erymillion dollars s)ent on a )roect+ /he bridge was b%dgeted"or thirty-"i(e million dollars# so the "ear was )er(asi(e+ /hechie" engineer# $ose)h .tra%ss# also belie(ed that three doAenmen co%ld "all and lose their li(es+ /he im)act o" "alling "romthe bridge to the water below was eN%i(alent to hitting a bric!wall at eighty miles )er ho%r+ .tra%ss made an %n)recedentedmo(e and ordered a large tra)eAe net to be )laced %nder thewor!ers+ Bridge b%ilders had ne(er enoyed s%ch a l%J%ry+/he added sec%rity made them "eel as tho%gh they co%ld# asone wor!er said# dance on steel+3

hristians as well can be immobiliAed by "ear o" "allingand losing their sal(ation# so 7od )ro(ided belie(ers with asec%rity net thro%gh $es%s hrist+ We are eternally sec%re#not beca%se o" o%r goodness# b%t beca%se o" 7ods grace+

What to do:Do yo%r best "or 7od* b%t i" yo% do "all# and we allwill on occasion# we can rest ass%red- $es%s will catch


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%s and !ee) %s sec%re+ Rest in that )romise

99999999999999999999

Jesus, The #o!ing $ingDecember 2

Bible Reading: Re(elation 1:11-1IKey Verse: Verse 1I - And he hath on his vesture andon his thigh a name "ritten, F#=. G F#=.S, A=@6GH@ G 6GH@S!

Key Words:F#=. G F#=.S, A=@ 6GH@G 6GH@S

n Re(elation# we see $es%s as the coming King# and in o%rteJt we see the scene that will )re(ail at the Battle o">rmageddon+ /he anti-hrist will be gnawing his tong%e andblas)heming 7od beca%se his )ride will be wo%nded andchallenged+ /he demonic s)irits will organiAe a con"ederacy

o" nations that will mo(e against $er%salem once and "or all tosol(e the $ewish )roblem+3 n the great (alley o" $eAreel# inthe midst o" these three mo%ntains# this con"ederacy will getready to mo(e against $er%salem with their tan!s# g%ns#na)alm# lasers# and ets# and whate(er else is in the mind o"the insane one# the anti-hrist+ t is going to loo! dar!+

/hen s%ddenly# $es%s arri(es & the King o" Kings and the@ord o" @ords ,e will s)ea! and ,is Word will be a sword#and the battle is o(er# the (ictory is won /o 7od be the glory

'n the e(e o" D-Day# 7eneral Dwight Cisenhower# closedhis address to the troo)s by saying# We will acce)t nothingless than "%ll Victory?>nd let %s all beseech the blessing o">lmighty 7od %)on this great and noble %nderta!ing+3

n essence# he was saying there is no room "or de"eat* wem%st win* we will win

Well# (e read the last cha)ter o" the boo! and am hereto tell yo%# we win /o 7od be the glory "or the K7 '4K7. >D @'RD '4 @'RD.


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too! o%t 1


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%t these months into thirty or thirty-one eN%al )arts+/his batch will !ee) "or %st one year+ Do not attem)t to ma!e%) the whole batch at one time Eso many )eo)le s)oil theentire lot in this wayF* b%t )re)are one day at a time as"ollows+

nto each day )%t twel(e )arts o" "aith# ele(en o" )atience#ten o" co%rage# nine o" wor! Esome )eo)le omit this ingredientand so s)oil the "la(or o" the restF# eight o" ho)e# se(en o""idelity# siJ o" liberality# "i(e o" !indness# "o%r o" rest Elea(ingo%t this is li!e lea(ing the oil o%t o" the salad dressing & dontdo itF# three o" )rayer# two o" good will and one well-selectedresol%tion+ 6%t in a dash o" "%n# a s)rin!ling o" )lay# and a

hea)ing c%)"%l o" good h%mor+6o%r into the whole lo(e and grace# and miJ with (im+oo! thoro%ghly in a "er(ent heat* garnish with sweet smilesand a "ew s)rigs o" oy* then ser(e with N%ietness#%nsel"ishness# and cheer"%lness & and a ha))y new year is acertainty+

What to do:>))ly the abo(e )rinci)les# and do ho)e yo% willha(e a ,a))y ew ear+


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I deeply appreciate the

help of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using thesepeople to help, thisdevotional would not

have been possible.Dr. Mike Rouse


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is a ministry of

--./ #hal*ville Mountain )oadBir!ingha!, AL0 1-21-

324-5 /-672869www0!ountainview:aptist0org

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Jesus Christ December 2014

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