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Christian Devotional – December 31, 2019
Do we worship Jesus? As we conclude our time looking into the story of the birth of the Savior, the question comes down to, what is our response to Him? Read Matthew 2:11-12. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Matthew 2:11-12 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.2.11-12.NASB They had come all that way and once they encountered Jesus, they fell…
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Christian Devotional – December 30, 2019
They were rejoicing. They were so glad when the star was back in view. Read Matthew 2:9-10. After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:9-10 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.2.9-10.NASB They got the information from the king and were back on their way, but they were more overjoyed when they saw the star. When we see God moving, are we overjoyed? What gets us excited? Why wouldn’t seeing God work and move make us…
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Christian Devotional – December 29, 2019
Search carefully. Herod brought the magi to him secretly to find out the age of the star, but he told them his motivation was one of worship. Read Matthew 2:7-8. Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” Matthew 2:7-8 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.2.7-8.NASB Herod felt the need to explain himself to the magi, which was odd. He was the king, and could have commanded them to tell him anything he…
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Christian Devotional – December 28, 2019
They knew all along. When Herod went to his wise men to understand what the magi had told him, all his advisers were able to find the answer he was looking for. They had known the answer all along of where the king of the Jews would be born. Read Matthew 2:5-6. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘ and you , bethlehem , land of judah , are by no means least among the leaders of judah ; for out of you shall come forth a ruler who will shepherd my people israel .'” Matthew 2:5-6 NASB…
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Christian Devotional – December 27, 2019
Troubled? The magi have come looking for the one who was born king. Obviously, Herod would be troubled as he was the current king. But this news didn’t just trouble him, it troubled everyone. Read Matthew 2:3-4. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. Matthew 2:3-4 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.2.3-4.NASB With the coming of the magi, it became very important to Herod to know and understand where this new king may be from. What did the magi know about this king? What did…
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Christian Devotional – December 26, 2019
Where is he? Jesus has been born. We saw that in Luke’s account of the Christmas story. Now we turn to Matthew to see the next part of the story. Read Matthew 2:1-2. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.2.1-2.NASB People were looking for Jesus. They knew he had been born even though nothing formal had ever been announced. There wasn’t any parties to…
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Christian Devotional – December 2, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 28 VERSE: Matthew 28:17–When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. TRUTH: This is so true, now and then. Jesus shows up in our lives and does something amazing and miraculous and some people believe and worship God while others doubt. If that was the case when Jesus rose from the dead, we can be sure it will be the case with the miracles God does in our lives today. The question is, when we see Jesus working and moving, will we worship or doubt? RESPONSE: Father, give me the faith to worship You in everything. I will trust You and have faith in You…
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Christian Devotional – December 1, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 27 VERSE: Matthew 27:51–At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split. TRUTH: The moment that Jesus Christ was crucified and died for the sins of the world everything changed. The curtain in the temple that kept people out from the holy of holies was torn. Because of Jesus Christ, people now had direct access to God. They could come into His presence because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Several other miracles occurred as well that showed the power of Jesus, even in death. Do we acknowledge the power of Jesus Christ then and…
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Christian Devotional – November 30, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 26 VERSE: Matthew 26:41–Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. TRUTH: Do we watch and do we pray? Jesus could ask the same question of each one of us for indeed our spirit may be willing to follow Him and obey, but our flesh is weak. Are we following Him and seeking after Him? Are we watchful and prayerful as we are going throughout our day? Only by God’s grace and through His power will we be able to do all that God has for us to do. Keep watching and keep praying. RESPONSE:…
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Christian Devotional – November 29, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 25 VERSE: Matthew 25:40–The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.” TRUTH: Do we treat others as if we were treating Jesus Christ Himself? When we view others, even the hurting, sick, and despairing, do we view them as Christ would view them? When we are treating others, we need to realize that God cares for them and desires that we care for them too. Do our actions and attitudes reflect Christ? RESPONSE: Father, I love You and…