Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 19

Devotion for the Fifth Day of Christmas

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

~ Revelation 21:1-7

Hallelujah! Jesus came into the world as a baby at Christmas to become the man who would die for our sins and raise again to give us eternal life. This passage describes what our world will be like after Jesus returns. What glory we have to look forward to.

Merciful and loving God, I look forward to the day when there be no more mourning, no more crying, no more pain. Thank You that You sent Jesus to make become sin for us so that we would be forgiven of our sins and made new to live with You in the new Jerusalem. In His name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/maystra

Devotion for the Fourth Day of Christmas

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

~ Matthew 2:1-23

Right after Christmas, as part of the story of the birth of Jesus, Herod murders babies. He was so enraged that the Wise Men didn’t lead him directly to the promised King that he was determined to kill every baby who could possibly be that child. Of course, God had protected Jesus and warned Joseph to escape with Jesus and Mary, but my heart bleeds for the babies who were killed and for their families. In a small community, many of the families with young children were probably related, so one extended family may have lost several infants. Those little ones were martyrs “in deed but not in will.” Unlike the martyrs who knowingly and willingly died for their faith (martyrs in will and deed) or disciples who were willing to die for their faith but weren’t killed (martyrs in will but not deed), these babies and their families had no choice. Yet they sacrificed their lives and their families sacrificed their children to further God’s plan for Jesus as the Savior of the world.

Lord God of mercy, this tragic and evil event shortly after Jesus’s birth demonstrates how much the world needed and still needs a Savior. One man was so selfish and power-hungry that he murdered babies to protect his sovereignty. Today mothers and their accomplices kill babies in the womb to protect their selfish desires. We still need Jesus, Lord. Open the eyes and hearts of all who do not know Him and draw them to Him. In His name I pray. Amen.

Image: : © Depositphotos.com/sedmak

Devotion for the Third Day of Christmas

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets
from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father Abraham,
to grant us
that we, being delivered from the hand of
our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him
all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of
the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare
his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and
in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
~ Luke 1:68-79

These are the words of Zechariah upon the birth of his son, John the Baptist. When the angel appeared to Zechariah when he was serving as a priest in the temple, Zechariah was doubtful that his wife, who had been barren for many years, would bear a son. Zechariah was made deaf and dumb for his disbelief, and the words in today’s passage are the first he spoke after he was healed after the birth of John. He recognized that John was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah, who was the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. God had promised His people that he would send a Savior for His people, and though it took thousands of year, God, as always, fulfilled His promise.

Lord God Almighty, I thank and praise You that You always keep Your promises. Even when it seems to me that You nothing is happening, remind me that Your timing is not my timing—but Your timing is perfect. You are never late, but always on time. Give me patience and faith as I wait. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Devotion for the Second Day of Christmas

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
~ Isaiah 40:11

What a comfort to know Jesus is the Good Shepherd! He picks us up when we fall, carries us when we’re weak, nourishes us with His own Body and Blood. He protects us from the enemy, and He nurtures us and meets all our needs.

Lord God Almighty, How blessed I am that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, caring for me in good times and bad. Though I am weak, He gives me strength. Though I fall, He lifts me. Though I fail, He covers my sins and errors. Give me a grateful heart. In His name I pray. Amen.

Note: These devotions are also available in print and e-reader formats.

All author proceeds from the devotionals will be donated to Love for the Least. The mission of L4L is to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. Currently they are providing food, mattresses, milk and diapers for babies, and other needs for refugees from ISIS in northern Iraq.

Devotion for Christmas Day

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. ~ Luke 2:1-40

Everything about Jesus’s birth was out of the ordinary and miraculous. God had ordained that the Roman decree would declare a tax and require every citizen to return to his hometown—this was in God’s plan so Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. A virgin giving birth in the time and place decreed by the Lord, angels singing in the sky, shepherds leaving their flocks to go worship a newborn, an elderly man granted to see the Messiah—all miracles of God. Yet with all these miracles, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be circumcised and traveled to Jerusalem to present the child in the temple and make a sacrifice. “And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee.” Even though Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Second Person of the Trinity, His parents followed the Law and treated Him like any other firstborn son.

Omnipotent and Omniscient Lord, I am constantly amazed at the miracles You perform and at the love You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have for Your children. But I’m also in awe of the obedience of Jesus and earthly parents. They followed the Law for His circumcision and presentation, just as they would have if their firstborn had been an ordinary child. What an example! Let me be like Jesus and do Your will. In His name I pray. Amen.

Note: These devotions are also available in print and e-reader formats.

All author proceeds from the devotionals will be donated to Love for the Least. The mission of L4L is to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. Currently they are providing food, mattresses, milk and diapers for babies, and other needs for refugees from ISIS in northern Iraq.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/jorisvo

Devotion for Christmas Eve

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of
his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations
will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things
for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts
of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their
thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
~ Luke 1:46-55

The Magnificat is one of the canticles in the Evening Prayer service in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. I love when we chant it in Evensong. Mary spoke these words after the angel told her she would give birth to the Savior. She recognized that the prophecies of the Messiah were being answered through the child she would deliver, and she praised God for fulfilling His promises. She thanked God for her role in His salvation of the world, and she praised Him for His might, mercy, strength, and salvation. She praised Him for His mercy toward the humble and meek and for His judging people, not by wealth or power or pride, but by their fear of the Lord.

Lord God, I want to be among the humble and meek, among those who fear You, among those to whom You show mercy. Mold me into the person You want me to be. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Note: These devotions are also available in print and e-reader formats.

All author proceeds from the devotionals will be donated to Love for the Least. The mission of L4L is to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. Currently they are providing food, mattresses, milk and diapers for babies, and other needs for refugees from ISIS in northern Iraq.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/realinemedia

Devotion for Monday after the Fourth Sunday in Advent

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good
news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
~ Isaiah 52:7

What better news could we carry than the story of God sending His Son Jesus to be born at Christmas to die for our sins and rise again to give us eternal life. The good news of peace, happiness, and salvation. The message that our God reigns.

Lord God, let me feet carry me where I need to go to bring the good news of Jesus. Put the words in my mouth and lead me in the way I act so my actions are consistent with Your message. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Note: These devotions are also available in print and e-reader formats.

All author proceeds from the devotionals will be donated to Love for the Least. The mission of L4L is to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. Currently they are providing food, mattresses, milk and diapers for babies, and other needs for refugees from ISIS in northern Iraq.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/MKucova

Devotion for the Fourth Sunday in Advent

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

~ Luke 1:26-38

I always want to be like Mary, but, alas, I’m more like many other people God has called through the years. Instead of saying, like Mary, “let it be according to your word,” I say, like Moses, “Lord, I stutter.” Or, like Gideon, “I am the least…” But Mary simply said, “I am the servant of the Lord” and accepted what God asked her to do. May I be more like Mary!

Lord God, give me a willing heart like Mary to respond “let it be …” whenever You ask me to do something—whether it a general command You have given all Your servants (love your neighbor as yourself) or a specific duty You’ve assigned me to do for Your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Note: These devotions are also available in print and e-reader formats.

All author proceeds from the devotionals will be donated to Love for the Least. The mission of L4L is to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. Currently they are providing food, mattresses, milk and diapers for babies, and other needs for refugees from ISIS in northern Iraq.

Devotion for Saturday after the Third Sunday in Advent

“Behold, I 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. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

~ Malachi 3:1-3

The first time Jesus came to earth, He came as a helpless baby. When He returns, He will come in all His power and majesty, and “who can endure the day…?” If we were judged by our own thoughts, words, and deeds, we would all be consigned to Hell. Praise be to God that we are righteousness if we love Jesus because He took our sins upon Himself. When He comes again to judge the world, He will see His righteousness in us.

Thank You, Lord, that You see me as righteous because You see Jesus’s righteousness when You look at me. In His name. Amen.

Note: These devotions are also available in print and e-reader formats.

All author proceeds from the devotionals will be donated to Love for the Least. The mission of L4L is to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. Currently they are providing food, mattresses, milk and diapers for babies, and other needs for refugees from ISIS in northern Iraq.

Devotion for Friday after the Third Sunday in Advent

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.”

~ Ezekiel 34:11-12

We may think we have to search for God, but it’s the other way around. He is the One who searches for us. We may think our salvation is dependent on our own actions, but the only thing we have to do is to respond to the Good Shepherd who rescues us. Even if we are in heavy clouds and thick darkness, He will find us.

Thank You, Lord God, that’s it not up to me to find You. My responsibility is to respond to You. I love You and believe Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I put my total trust in Him. In His name I pray.

Note: These devotions are also available in print and e-reader formats.

All author proceeds from the devotionals will be donated to Love for the Least. The mission of L4L is to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. Currently they are providing food, mattresses, milk and diapers for babies, and other needs for refugees from ISIS in northern Iraq.