Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying another gray hump day. I'm doing well, looking forward to Christmas, because I now understand it’s meaning. I used to be depressed and angry during the Christmas season because it could be a very stressful time. Do you know how many people go into debt to buy presents for their children and family? The world has put this prerequisite on what's supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year", and made it into a commercial paradise, instead of focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ. As we're in the Advent season, be conscious of Jesus' existence, and what it means in your life. Even if you don't celebrate the season of Advent, don't lose the meaning of Christmas. I don't know where I'd be if it wasn't for Jesus, and I'm so grateful for His life, it's only nationally celebrated one time a year; so don't allow the world to take all the meaning out of it for you. Use this time as an opportunity to teach someone about the love of Jesus Christ, and what He stood for. I implore you to relax, enjoy your family and friends, and eat, drink, and enjoy the fruits of your labor (Eccl. 3:12-13)! Enjoy the rest of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about the gift of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. We're in the last month of the year, and have entered into the Advent season as of this Sunday past. I grew up predominantly in Southern Baptist Churches, and we never celebrated the season of Advent (or I don't remember it). I learned about Advent last year at my new Church, whose denomination is Disciples of Christ. Advent is defined: The liturgical period preceding Christmas, observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence. We basically celebrate the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and take some time to reflect on what He means to us. I've adopted this practice because I believe that it’ll bring my relationship with Jesus a step closer. It's very new to me, so I'm still trying to learn the traditions. However, it helps me stay aware of Jesus' life, and the awesome role He plays in mine, especially during one of the most stressful times of year. Jesus did more than just atoned for our sins; it's only because of Him that we have received the Holy Spirit. Acts chapter 2 speaks about the coming of the Holy Spirit, and it starts off in verses 1-4 speaking about Pentecost (the anointing of the Holy Spirit). As you could imagine, once the disciples were speaking in different tongues and overcome by the Spirit, people were shocked and stunned, and sought answers. Peter then preached a sermon to the men of Judea in Jerusalem about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it entails. He goes into detail about Joel and King David, from the Old Testament, and how prophesied about this very thing. They spoke about the Messiah and the coming of the Holy Spirit many years before Jesus was born. Peter goes on to say: This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear .“For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ' The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.' Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (vs. 32-36). You may be wondering why I'm mentioning Advent and Pentecost, when we're supposed to learning about the gift of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever heard the saying, "If you don't know where you come from, then you won't know where you're going?" We're in the season of celebrating Jesus' birth, and this is so significant because if Jesus wasn't born He couldn't have died, and if He hadn't died for our sins and was resurrected, then we wouldn't have the Holy Spirit. Salvation through Jesus, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit are one in the same; you can't have one without the other. Do you know how to properly use the power of your Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is our connection to God and Jesus. We wouldn’t be able to adequately communicate with them, none of our prayers would be answered, nor could we properly read and understand the Word of God without the Holy Spirit. He's our Helper, and will guide us in every step we take. Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If your answer is no, then you don't have the Holy Spirit. You're in a battle with no armor, and the only way to put on that amour is the pray and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior you have all the protection you need, however you must ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit daily. I challenge you to make note of how many times you communicate with the Holy Spirit in a day, and make a conscious effort to communicate with Him more. My favorite verse today is: The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455168&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!