Daily Devotions – Keywords In God’s Word

He Is Holy
December 25, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Nehemiah 8:5-6
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

      At the reading of God’s Word, the people stood to their feet. They were not asked to rise or to stand. Just out of pure respect for what was contained in the words written in the book, they stood.

 

      In England, when the queen rides past, people stand. When the President of the United States enters a room, people stand. Why? It is done out of respect for the position they have obtained and their place in leadership over us.

 

      After the reading of God’s Word, when Ezra offered blessings and praise to the Lord, the people did three things.

• First, they lifted their hands with palms open, showing that they had no weapons, no hostility, holding onto nothing. The open hands also displayed an expectation of supply by their God.
  
  
• Next, they said, “Amen” with their voice, or more literally, “so be it.” Saying, “Let it be as our God has spoken.”
  
  
• Finally, they bowed their faces to the ground in a show of worship. They did not look at God as their equal but as superior.

 

      Today, people do not lift their hands very often because someone might see them. They do not shout AMEN anymore because people will complain. They often will not even close their eyes, much less bow their head to the ground in respect of God. Jesus came as a baby to this place called Earth, but He lives today as a King on high. He came to regular people, but He lives as God the Son. He came to die for the sins of many that He might save their soul. Many have accepted Him. Have you?

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

       On this Christmas Morning, can you find a time to get alone with God and lift your hands, bow your head, and say amen? Let it be as God has spoken. May you all have a Merry and “Christ-filled” Christmas.

 

What will a Christ-filled Christmas look like
with you and your family this year?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

 

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

 

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

 

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: December 25, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Nehemiah 7, 8 / Psalm 144
Proverbs 25 / Revelations 14, 15

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Zechariah 1-3  /  Revelation 17

 

Watch Me God
December 22, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 141:3-4
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     Have you ever thought, I sure wish I had not said or done that? Well, I have. Too often, we find ourselves in the position of feeling as if we have not just placed one foot in our mouth, but both feet and part of a leg. We spout off a few words or commit deeds with little or no thought for the feelings of others, much less their good or well-being. Then, when it is done, we look back and think I wish I could do that over. Well, YOU CAN’T.

     You cannot do things over. You might have an opportunity to make things right from time to time. You may have the chance to repeat something, correcting what you should have done right the first time. However, the truth is, time marches on, and you cannot do things over. Once a comment or gesture is made, it is done. Those who heard your first words or saw your first action will know what you did the first time, no matter what you do to correct it. They may forgive, but hardly ever forget. This is why the Psalmist was praying and begging God to help him guard his comments and his actions. That he might do and say the right things that would be honoring and pleasing to God the first time around.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

      As we prepare in the next few days to meet with family and friends, there are several opportunities to say and do the right things or the wrong things. We can be Christ-like or worldly. What we do will honor or dishonor God in front of those around us. This challenge is almost, if not completely, impossible to do without God’s help. We all need to pray this prayer of the Psalmist, asking God to guard and guide our conversation and actions. That all we do would be pleasing unto HIM.

How might God’s word help you and allow the Holy Spirit
to guide and guard your conversations in times to come?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself what MY THOUGHTS are concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: December 22, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Haggai – Nehemiah 2 / Psalm 141
Proverbs 21-22 / Revelations 8, 9

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Habakkuk  /  Revelation 14

You Are A Gift!
December 20 & 21, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     It is getting close to Christmas, when many people look forward to opening presents from family and friends. Some have sent out their wish list and hope for certain things. Now, stop for a second and ask yourself, how many past presents can you name? Over the years, what ones brought you happiness or pleasure enough to remember? We look at things often and think, “If I only had that, it would bring me pleasure forever.” However, after we have it for a while, we are much like little children who tire of their new toy and begin looking for something else.

     Did you realize that the Lord, for His PLEASURE, created us? The Bible says that all things were created for our Lord’s pleasure. When the Lord of all time sat down and thought, “What will bring me the most pleasure?” He thought of you. In addition, being the Lord, He also knew He would never tire of this creation. This creation has caused Him many problems and troubles over the centuries, but also much joy, and most of all, true love. When you read how we were created for God’s pleasure, do not think, as some may, that we were created as a plaything to bring pleasure for a little while, like a toy or gadget. This is not the nature of God. We were created to bring God pleasure forever.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    What have you done in the last year to bring God pleasure? Did you lead someone else to Him? Did you remember Him daily? Did you listen to Him as He spoke to you out of His Word regularly? Did you bring Him pleasure? Think hard. OK, now let me help you a bit. He finds pleasure in you just being you. He surely does want you to witness, read your Bible, and pray. Those things bring about blessings in your life. However, they are not conditions of His love. He loves you and finds pleasure in just you. Just because you’re you, and that alone should make you want to love Him. Moreover, your love for Him brings Him great pleasure. Love God, simply because He first loved you.

Can you quit trying to bring God pleasure
and just rest in the knowledge that you do?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself what MY THOUGHTS are concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: December 20, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
Zechariah 13, 14 / Psalm 139-140
Proverbs 20 / Revelations 4-7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Nahum  /  Revelation 12-13

WHAT TO DO ON SUNDAY:

    There will not be a Daily Devotion sent out on Sundays. Instead, we encourage you to attend your church and listen intently to what God has prepared in the heart of your Pastor. Write down all the scriptures he uses in that message, then, when you get home, re-read those passages for today’s reading. God has given your Pastor exactly what He desires for you on that day.  

GOD TALKING TO ME: December  21, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY