Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 59

Happy New Year

May the coming year be full of blessings from the Lord. May you be productive, loved, and filled with joy.

The Eighth Day of Christmas

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

While Luke’s story of the birth of Jesus tells the physical story, these beautiful words that begin the Gospel of John describe the Incarnation mystically and spiritually. Jesus was physically born as a tiny baby in Bethlehem, but, in fact, He has always existed as the Incarnate Word of God, the Light of the World, the everlasting glory of God. The Creator, the One who gives life and light, came as one of us so He could bridge the gap between a holy and pure God and a sinful and impure people. Those who receive Him, who believe in His name, become the children of God. That is amazing beyond words!

Thank You, Lord God, that You closed the chasm between us sinners and You and gave us the right to be called Your children. We receive You, Lord Jesus; we believe in Your name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/jamesgroup

The Seventh Day of Christmas

Revelation 21:1-7

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”

The new heaven and the new earth will be glorious beyond our imaginings. God will dwell among His people in a magnificent place free of pain and sorrow. Although we may at times wish we didn’t have to deal with death and mourning and hurt on this earth, the new heaven and new earth will be even more beautiful because we have known grief and pain and tears. We always appreciate beauty more when we have seen ugliness, happiness more when we have known sorrow, health more when we have known illness.

Lord God, we long for the glorious day when we will dwell with You in the new Heaven and the new earth, free of pain and sorrow. Maranatha, Lord Jesus! Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/biblebox

The Sixth Day of Christmas

2 Corinthians 5:5-8

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight— we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Many people fear death, but for believers death means we are absent from the body and home with the Lord, and there’s no better place we could be. We can’t even begin to imagine the glory that awaits us in Heaven with the Lord. God blessed me with a vision of my husband shortly after his death, and he absolutely radiated joy. It’s true that those who have gone before are in a much better place.

Lord God, I don’t know what Heaven will be like, but I know it is glorious. You are there and that is enough for me. Thank You that my faith in Jesus is my ticket to Heaven. In His name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/DeepGreen

The Fifth Day of Christmas

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

As Christians, we are to be in the world, but not of the world. We can’t live in a bubble; every day we are exposed to a culture that is at odds with our beliefs. People we see at work live with a “significant other” and have children without being married. Promiscuity is a way of life for those around us. Drugs, alcohol, and pornography hold individuals we know and love in the grip of addiction. For the convenience of their mothers, babies are murdered before they even have a chance to be born. But we must not conform to culture—we must renew our minds in Christ and be transformed to do the perfect will of God.

Heavenly Father, sometimes it’s so discouraging to look around at our society. We don’t want to fall into the trap of accepting sin as “normal.” Renew our minds and transform us by Your perfect and good will. Keep us untainted by the corruption around us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/adrenalina

The Fourth Day of Christmas

1 Samuel 1:11, 22

She made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”

But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord and stay there forever.”

Hannah promised God that if He would give her a son, she would give Him to the Lord. She kept her promise—as soon as he was weaned, she took him to the Temple to serve God. It’s easy to make a promise to God when we’re in trouble, but it’s also easy to forget about our promises when God answers our prayers. We don’t need to make bargains with God, promising to be in church every week if He’ll heal this illness or telling Him we’ll do something (or maybe avoid doing something we shouldn’t) if He’ll grant us that wish. Nothing we can promise will ever “pay” God for what He gives us. But if we make a commitment to Him, we need to do our best to keep. And ask Him for help when our own strength isn’t enough.

Lord, we’re so glad that we don’t have to promise to do something or give up something when we make a supplication to You. But we want to do Your will, and when we make a commitment—especially to You—we want to fulfill that commitment. We know that the only thing You want from us is everything—our hearts, minds, and lives. We offer our all to You, Lord. Take our lives and let them be dedicated to You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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The Third Day of Christmas

Acts 16:9-10

A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Paul’s response to a message from God was immediate and positive. What God asked him to do, Paul did without delay and with great fervor. We don’t see ourselves as great Christian leaders like Paul, so maybe we may hesitate because we don’t expect God to call us to mission. He may not be calling us to go to Macedonia to preach the Gospel, but perhaps He’s calling us to share the Gospel with our neighbor or a family member.

Father God, empower us by the Holy Spirit to recognize and respond positively to Your call on our lives—whether it’s to witness to loved ones, to participate in mission trips, or to give sacrificially so others can share Your Word. Give us the desire to do what You want us to do. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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The Second Day of Christmas

Genesis 46:2-5

God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes.”

Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob and their little ones and their wives in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

God gave Israel (Jacob) a vision telling him to go down to Egypt, and Jacob rose and headed to Egypt. Most of the time, we don’t get visions and hear the voice of God verbally give us instructions, but we do have the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. May we listen as carefully and respond as quickly and faithfully as Jacob did.

Lord God, we can convince ourselves that the nudgings we feel aren’t from You if You are asking us to do something difficult. Open our hearts and minds so that when we hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit we immediately start moving in the direction You are guiding us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/piccola

Christmas Day

Psalm 100

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the Lord Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting

And His faithfulness to all generations.

Revelation 3:20-22

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Today we give thanks to God—for His creation, His lovingkindness and faithfulness, His provision, and most of all, for His salvation. Jesus stands at the doors of our hearts and knocks. Today and every day, we open the door widely and joyously and make Him welcome.

Thank You, Lord, for all the many blessings You have given us. We open our hearts and minds and lives to Jesus and worship You in spirit and in truth. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

The Christmas Story

Luke 2:1-20 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen. ~ Collect for Christmas Day, 1928 Book of Common Prayer