Sunny&80The Wreath (#jammed daily devo, day 359)
Posted on December 25, 2018
December #jammed: Grace, gifted.
Day 359, Merry Christmas!
“ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.” Luke 2:6
Merry Christmas, readers! On this morning, how can we not reflect upon the beautiful 
baby Jesus? For, as today’s verse celebrates, “the time came for her baby to be born.”
The time came! In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon lists that there is time for every human emotion and activity under the sun. But what we cannot ever get a grip on is God’s timing. The Author of time will reveal everything in His time.
The Christmas wreath that hangs on my door each Christmas season welcomes everyone at my doorstep into Christmas wonderland. There are baby Jesus’ and Santa’s everywhere! The Halls are Decked! But the intriguing thing about that wreath is it’s circular shape.
It’s a circle.
Christmas kicks off the biggest celebration of the circle of life in all of history. Finally, after an entire Biblical testament of prophesy, Jesus splashes onto the page in the flesh. Right on schedule. Right where God said He’d be. Just how it was supposed to be. We could study the Bible our entire lives and God would never run out of new things to reveal to us through it.
That circular wreath symbolizes everlasting life. In a circle. Whether we are running around on earth or skipping happily through heaven, life since Jesus’ birth means death isn’t the end for Christians. It’s, in fact, only the beginning.
Maybe this is the first time you’ve looked at Christmas this way. Commercialism has had you in it’s grip and you’ve succumbed to the “why are we skipping Thanksgiving for a retail holiday” hum drum. Don’t. Don’t let anything steal away from Christmas. It only can if you allow it to. Because Christmas is Christmas. It’s Jesus. It’s Him coming to earth to live and die for our sins so that we can go to heaven. It’s all about gifts. His gifts. The gifts He gave us. Grace, Heaven, to be in the presence of God, and to live with the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us.
Yes …freak out a little. It’s cool!
The Gospels of Luke and Matthew record Jesus’ birth. You can read them here (LUKE MATTHEW) if you’re not familiar with the story. Welcome Him in to your Christmas story. Welcome Him into your life. The magic of Christmas never fades when Jesus takes up residence in our hearts.
I’d like to pray for you, specifically, today.
Father, Praise You for Christmas, and the miraculous circle of new life that began when Jesus came down to earth. His birth means everything to us, and we thank You for sending Your one and only Son to us. Father, there are people reading this today who have never heard or read the Christmas story before. Ignite their hearts as they discover who You are through the birth of Your Son. Help them to ease into conversation with You, asking Jesus to come in and take over their lives …vowing to follow Him all the days of their lives and onto heaven. We praise You, God. Thank you for loving us for who we are, right now, and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Merry Christmas!!!
Megs
Get the #jammed Daily Devo sent straight to your inbox each morning, by subscribing to Sunny&80.
The Keyless Keys (#jammed daily devo, day 234)
Posted on August 22, 2018
August #jammed: Reflecting on Grace.
Day 234: Invisible answers.
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Mom!” my daughters squealed in the cold wind …
“Unlock the door! HURRY!”
Gone are the days when the mini-van door would begin to open as my kids raced to beat each other to their seats. Now, they have to wait for me to get to my door. Then, the sensor in my door handle picks up the key fab in my pocket, and let’s me unlock the door by pulling the handle. Once I pull my handle, the girls can open their doors.
Today’s verse reminds me of that new key.
When we give our lives to Christ, we are close to Him. He senses our hearts outside of His door, and the moment we utter belief in Him as our Savior all of the doors are unlocked. All of the hard places in our hearts are open and exposed and begin the life-long process of softening to be more like His.
“But Thank God!”We are cut into Christ’s victory when those doors swing open. And from that day forward, no key is needed. That’s it. Once a heart is unlocked, it’s open for good. Protected by Him, as the Spirit dwells in us. His lock on our lives cannot be picked, and we can never be snatched from His grip.
“Be strong and immovable…” And that’s possible, by the power we receive through the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ. It’s not a promise of easily perfected good behavior, it’s an assurance that He will hold us up on the last day.
“Work enthusiastically for the Lord …” “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Working in the trenches of the world as the loving arms of Jesus is joyful work. There’s no “trying” to like what He’s called us to do. When we fall in line with His will for HIs life …it’s happiness as it was meant to be.
“Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” The payoffs aren’t always going to be seen here on earth. We may never know all of the ways our lives have touched others for Him. But when we continue to pursue His will for our lives day after day, we can be sure that He’s executing His specific purpose for our lives.
Father, Praise You for Your timing. Thank You for unlocking our hearts and calling us home. We confess our doubts and lack of faith, and pray that You sit down in the Word and send us out in action for Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Happy
Megs
Get the #jammed Daily Devo sent straight to your inbox each morning, by subscribing to Sunny&80.
The Wreath (#jammed daily devo, day 359)
Posted on December 25, 2017
December #jammed: Grace, gifted.
Day 359, Merry Christmas!
“ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.” Luke 2:6
Merry Christmas, readers! On this morning, how can we not reflect upon the beautiful 
baby Jesus? For, as today’s verse celebrates, “the time came for her baby to be born.”
The time came! In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon lists that there is time for every human emotion and activity under the sun. But what we cannot ever get a grip on is God’s timing. The Author of time will reveal everything in His time.
The Christmas wreath that hangs on my door each Christmas season welcomes everyone at my doorstep into Christmas wonderland. There are baby Jesus’ and Santa’s everywhere! The Halls are Decked! But the intriguing thing about that wreath is it’s circular shape.
It’s a circle.
Christmas kicks off the biggest celebration of the circle of life in all of history. Finally, after an entire Biblical testament of prophesy, Jesus splashes onto the page in the flesh. Right on schedule. Right where God said He’d be. Just how it was supposed to be. We could study the Bible our entire lives and God would never run out of new things to reveal to us through it.
That circular wreath symbolizes everlasting life. In a circle. Whether we are running around on earth or skipping happily through heaven, life since Jesus’ birth means death isn’t the end for Christians. It’s, in fact, only the beginning.
Maybe this is the first time you’ve looked at Christmas this way. Commercialism has had you in it’s grip and you’ve succumbed to the “why are we skipping Thanksgiving for a retail holiday” hum drum. Don’t. Don’t let anything steal away from Christmas. It only can if you allow it to. Because Christmas is Christmas. It’s Jesus. It’s Him coming to earth to live and die for our sins so that we can go to heaven. It’s all about gifts. His gifts. The gifts He gave us. Grace, Heaven, to be in the presence of God, and to live with the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us.
Yes …freak out a little. It’s cool!
The Gospels of Luke and Matthew record Jesus’ birth. You can read them here (LUKE MATTHEW) if you’re not familiar with the story. Welcome Him in to your Christmas story. Welcome Him into your life. The magic of Christmas never fades when Jesus takes up residence in our hearts.
I’d like to pray for you, specifically, today.
Father, Praise You for Christmas, and the miraculous circle of new life that began when Jesus came down to earth. His birth means everything to us, and we thank You for sending Your one and only Son to us. Father, there are people reading this today who have never heard or read the Christmas story before. Ignite their hearts as they discover who You are through the birth of Your Son. Help them to ease into conversation with You, asking Jesus to come in and take over their lives …vowing to follow Him all the days of their lives and onto heaven. We praise You, God. Thank you for loving us for who we are, right now, and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Merry Christmas!!!
Megs
Get the #jammed Daily Devo sent straight to your inbox each morning, by subscribing to Sunny&80.
The Keyless Keys (#jammed daily devo, day 234)
Posted on August 22, 2017
August #jammed: Reflecting on Grace.
Day 234: Invisible answers.
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Mom!” my daughters squealed in the cold wind …
“Unlock the door! HURRY!”
Gone are the days when the mini-van door would begin to open as my kids raced to beat each other to their seats. Now, they have to wait for me to get to my door. Then, the sensor in my door handle picks up the key fab in my pocket, and let’s me unlock the door by pulling the handle. Once I pull my handle, the girls can open their doors.
Today’s verse reminds me of that new key.
When we give our lives to Christ, we are close to Him. He senses our hearts outside of His door, and the moment we utter belief in Him as our Savior all of the doors are unlocked. All of the hard places in our hearts are open and exposed and begin the life-long process of softening to be more like His.
“But Thank God!”We are cut into Christ’s victory when those doors swing open. And from that day forward, no key is needed. That’s it. Once a heart is unlocked, it’s open for good. Protected by Him, as the Spirit dwells in us. His lock on our lives cannot be picked, and we can never be snatched from His grip.
“Be strong and immovable…” And that’s possible, by the power we receive through the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ. It’s not a promise of easily perfected good behavior, it’s an assurance that He will hold us up on the last day.
“Work enthusiastically for the Lord …” “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Working in the trenches of the world as the loving arms of Jesus is joyful work. There’s no “trying” to like what He’s called us to do. When we fall in line with His will for HIs life …it’s happiness as it was meant to be.
“Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” The payoffs aren’t always going to be seen here on earth. We may never know all of the ways our lives have touched others for Him. But when we continue to pursue His will for our lives day after day, we can be sure that He’s executing His specific purpose for our lives.
Father, Praise You for Your timing. Thank You for unlocking our hearts and calling us home. We confess our doubts and lack of faith, and pray that You sit down in the Word and send us out in action for Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Happy
Megs
Get the #jammed Daily Devo sent straight to your inbox each morning, by subscribing to Sunny&80.
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