December 2020
"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
2 Corinthians 4:7
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:26-27
My prayer today is thanksgiving for Christ's presence of peace. Today's devo is a blessing after the year we've had.
Have a blessed and peaceful New Year's Eve, Sweet Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
1 John 4:7-8
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
John 15:4
Today's devo is perfect for reflection and a new beginning. 2 Corinthians 5:17 is a lovely Bible verse for this time of year!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods."
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods."
Psalm 40:4
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?"
Psalm 56:3-4
"Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge."
Psalm 62:8
"You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."
Isaiah 26:3-4
From today's devo:
"Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence"
God cares about even the little things in our lives. Nothing is too trivial, and nothing is too big for Him to handle. Clearly today's devo's theme is trust! I enjoyed the trust theme in today's Bible verses :D
What are your thoughts about today's devo?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging."
Psalm 46:1-3
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord."
Psalm 89:15
It's going to be a great week when your devo reminds you of the fake news and fear-mongering media. We were not created with a spirit of fear! Why should we be afraid when God is our refuge and our strength?
Have a peaceful day, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."
Isaiah 64:4
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5
"For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light."
Psalm 36:9
I really loved today's devo (I actually needed this one today). It thrills me to imagine that perhaps "my peacefulness" would bless someone. I confess that I have not felt the peace that a Christian should feel (especially this time of the year), but I am working on it!
I hope that you are feeling the Peace of the Lord this Sunday morning!
I love you all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:15-18
"The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemies before you,
saying, ‘Destroy them!’ "
Deuteronomy 33:27
"But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation."
Psalm 13:5
"Jesus is the gift who continuously gives!"
I hope y'all are having a wonderful Christmas season. Do you celebrate through Twelfth Night? We do!
What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Until next time...
Merry Christmas!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Merry Christmas!
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."
2 Corinthians 4:6
"Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness."
Philippians 2:6-7
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”Luke 2:13-14
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
2 Corinthians 8:9
I hope you have a very Blessed Christmas. This year's Christmas is very different from the ones we've celebrated in the past. But maybe the blessing of this year is we can quietly ponder the mystery and wonder of God's love via the birth of Jesus.
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).Matthew 1:23
Until next time...
Merry Christmas!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Before the mountains were born
Or before You had given birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are [the eternal] God."
Psalm 90:2 (AMP)
"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 1:27
Colossians 1:27
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."Colossians 3:15
The last verse explains what we are called to do: Let peace rule our hearts with thanksgiving.
So thankful to celebrate Christmas with my family. My heart is full!
Until next time...
Merry Christmas!
Ricki Jill
Happy Christmas Eve Eve
"...which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."
1 Timothy 6:15-16
"Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if only you would hear his voice..."
Psalm 95:6-7
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
Romans 8:32
"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
2 Peter 1:19
I love the last line in today's devo:
"Rejoice in all that I have done for you, and My Light will shine through you into the world."
We have an opportunity today to rejoice and let our little lights shine! I hope you have a blessed day, Lovelies! Do you have any Christmas Eve Eve traditions with your family?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Christmas tag journal
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:35
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."John 1:14
"When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Matthew 2:9-11 (NKJV)
"Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity."
Luke 1:78-79 (AMP)
I read today's devo last night after looking at the Christmas star. The wise men set out on their journey, found Jesus, and worshiped him because of a star. I love everything about the Christmas story!
Could you see the Christmas star from wherever you were last night?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Anyone excited about tonight's "Christmas Star" (the convergence of Saturn and Jupiter)?
"I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory."
Psalm 63:2
"For we live by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:7
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
John 11:40
Advent is truly the season of miracles. And while we anticipate Christ's second coming, let's look for the miracles (big and small) God lavishly gives us, His children.
I had the best weekend with my daughter. Thanks for your travel prayers: I appreciate them so much! I read your comments and prayer requests while I was away. I will answer them this afternoon (I have an appointment this morning), and I have been praying for those of you requesting prayers.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."
John 2:11
"The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, 'He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.'
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar..."
Luke 23:35-36
A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, Lord,
how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 92:1-5
Today's devo was unexpected: I wasn't expecting the cross so close to Christmas, especially the mocking of Jesus' identity.
Prayer requests? I will have some downtime today before I'm traveling again.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
