Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 20

Devotion for Thursday after the Third Sunday in Advent

The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”
~ Psalm 110:4

Abraham worshipped and tithed to Melchizedek, who served Abraham bread and wine. Melchizedek was not in the order of Aaron so was not eligible to be a priest under the law. Yet he was known as the King of Salem (thought to be Jerusalem) and priest of the most high God. Likewise, Jesus is both priest and king, and God has promised He will be both forever.

God Most High, I worship and serve Jesus as both priest and king and know He will be both forever. 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 Wednesday after the Third Sunday in Advent

“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.”

~ 1 Chronicles 17:13-14

God spoke these words to King David through the prophet Nathan a thousand years before Jesus came to earth. Sometimes we think God doesn’t hear us because He doesn’t seem to answer us as soon as we’d like. But God’s timing is not our timing. He promised Jesus thousands of years before He came to earth, and He has promised that Jesus will come again. We can trust that He will happen, but we can’t know when. In the meantime, He is sitting on the throne, just as God promised.

Father God, thank You that You always keep Your promises, that You are always working even when I can’t see it. Remind me when I doubt and worry about anything that You are in control and that Your plan is perfect. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. 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 Tuesday after the Third Sunday in Advent

 Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.

~ Ezekiel 34:20-23

People who have power, prestige, wealth, physical strength sometimes use their strength to push aside weaker, less successful people. But through His prophet, God has promised to rescue His sheep, weak and battered as they may be. He carried through on that promise when He sent His Son to become a man, die on the cross, and rise again. Jesus, the Son of David, will feed us and care for us. All we have to do is love Him and one another and surrender our wills to His. His plans are always better than ours, even when we don’t understand.

Holy God, thank You that You care for Your sheep so much that You sent Your Son to die to cleanse us of our sins and to rise again to give us eternal life. Guide me through the Holy Spirit to do Your will and to follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. 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 Monday after the Third Sunday in Advent

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter of your kingdom
is a scepter of uprightness.
~ Psalm 45:6

Forever and ever. We say those words, but I can’t really comprehend them. Time in this world is finite. We measure the days, weeks, months, and years, and we know that at some point our life here will end. But if we love and trust fully in Jesus, we will be with Him for eternity. Time will never end. No one will get old and die; no babies will be killed in the womb; no one will end their life in an accident. And the ruler of the eternal kingdom will wield a scepter of uprightness. On this earth, no one is good—not one. But in God’s eternal kingdom, righteousness will rule.

Eternal, everlasting God, sometimes time seems to move so slow; other times it seems to move so fast. In this life, time will end. I look forward to an eternity of uprightness under Your rule. 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 the Third Sunday in Advent

And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

~ Mark 14:62

Jesus gave this answer in response to the chief priest asking Him if He was the Christ. “I am.” Jesus is the Christ, the Lord, the great I AM. He is seated at the right hand of God and will come again in glory. In Advent, we are preparing for this Second Coming as well as for the coming of the babe in the manger. There will be a huge contrast in the coming of the baby and the Second Coming, but the One coming is both is the great I AM.

Lord God Almighty, I am in awe that the great I AM, Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, came to earth as a tiny infant and that He will come again in glory at the end of the time. And to think that He was born, suffered, was crucified, buried, and rose again for me—to cleanse me of my sins—is truly awesome. 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 Saturday after the Second Sunday in Advent

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies
come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.” Selah
Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the
children of man.
He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
~ Psalm 66:1-7

Awesome has become a favored popular expression. I’ve heard people call coffee awesome, declare that it’s awesome that I’m going to be at an event, and pronounce awesome when they like something someone says. The use of the word awesome for ordinary, mundane things cheapens it in my mind. Awesome means inspiring awe reverence, admiration, fear. God is awesome; His creation is awesome; His deeds are awesome. How can a cup of coffee or a banal comment be described in the same way as the Holy God, the Creator of all things, the Savior of the world? I will save words like awesome and awe-inspiring for the One who truly does deserve awe.

Almighty and Holy God, You are awesome, awe-inspiring, majestic, celestial, exalted—beyond words. May I never cheapen Your glory by thinking anything on earth is worthy of the exaltation and worship that rightly belongs only to You. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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 Second Sunday in Advent

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
~ Psalm 105:1-6

While Advent is a time of preparation and penitence, we should also be remembering all the Lord has done for us. He sent Jesus to be born as a tiny baby—He was born to die for all sins—and raised from the dead—to give us eternal life. He will come again in glory to take all those who love and serve Him to be Him for eternity. Yes, He deserves our praise and thanks and worship!

Thank You, Lord God, for all the blessings You give me in this life, but especially for Jesus’s giving up His glory to come to earth to die for me, to redeem me and reconcile me to you. I praise You, worship You, and glorify You. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. 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 Thursday after the Second Sunday in Advent

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
~ Isaiah 9:6-7

These magnificent words sung to the stirring music of Handel’s “Messiah” exemplify the Christmas message. Many of us can’t read this passage without the music echoing in our hearts and minds. Isaiah’s words point to the first coming of Jesus when a child is born, a son is given. They point to the Second Coming of Christ in glory and majesty at the end of time, to establish and uphold His kingdom with justice and righteousness. And they point to the eternal nature of God’s kingdom under the rulership of Jesus—there will be no end from this time forth and forevermore.  Although the music was written about 400 years ago, Isaiah prophesied these words hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. God’s plan was perfect from the beginning.

Almighty and everlasting God, thank You for giving us the holy and majestic words of prophecy and for giving talent to men to compose stirring and enthralling music. But far above that, Lord, thank You for fulfilling the prophecy in Jesus’s birth at Christmas and at the end of time in His Second Coming and eternal rule. As magnificent as these words (and music of “Messiah”) are, Your plan and Jesus’s fulfillment of it are infinitely greater. Make me ever grateful. 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 Wednesday after the Second Sunday in Advent

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among
    the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
~ Micah 5:2

This prophecy was written hundreds of years before Jesus’s birth, but it foretells the birthplace of the Messiah. It shows that salvation by Jesus was planned long before that, “from ancient days.” The Jews must have thought God was moving way too slow, and many think God is moving slow when it comes to Jesus’s Second Coming. However, God’s timing is perfect; our patience isn’t. God always planned for Jesus to be born in a stable in Bethlehem. He always planned to Him to die on the cross and to be raised again from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to give us eternal life. And His plans included what most thought too small to be of any importance—Jesus wasn’t born in Jerusalem, the city of David, or Rome, the headquarters of the empire, but in a town “too little to be among the clans of Judah.” Just as tiny Bethlehem wasn’t too insignificant to God, not one of His children—no matter the age, size, status in society, or level of morality—is too insignificant for His redemption. Jesus was born in that crude stable in a little village to save the sinful people in every village, town, city, and country in the world.

Lord God, Your plan astounds me. You knew man would sin before it happened and already had a plan in place to restore the relationship between You and humanity. You told Your people of Your plan thousands of years in advance, and You chose a young girl and a tiny town for the birth of the Savior of the world. Guide me by the Holy Spirit to worship You joyfully, love You fully, and thank You sincerely. In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. 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 Tuesday after the Second Sunday in Advent

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
~ Isaiah 40:5

We have never seen the full glory of God, and limitations of our human minds mean we can’t even imagine it, either. But one day it will be revealed—on the day Jesus returns. That is the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. But for those who wait until that moment to confess Christ, it will be too late. They will recognize the deity of Christ, but at that time it will not save them. However, those of us who kneel and confess Jesus as our Lord before that great day will be saved. We will not only see His glory at the time of His return, but we will live in it forever. The New Jerusalem is described in Revelation as not needing a sun or moon because God will give it light and Jesus will be its lamp. The glory of the Lord will be on display, and it will beyond our imaginings.

Lord God, I try to imagine Your glory, but my finite mind cannot grasp the infinite. Although I can envision it now, one day I will see You in all Your glory. Thank You that You sent Jesus to save me from my sins so I can dwell in glory with You. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost forever and ever. 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.