Why do you think Jesus came?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
(John 12:27 (NIV))

It was for this very reason that He came!

If you profess a faith in Jesus, what are you actually professing?

Are you professing that He simply came to spread love? Are you professing that He simply came to feed the hungry and heal the sick? Are you simply professing that He was a good man, or are you boldly professing that Jesus was and is the Messiah, the King of kings, and Lord of lords?

Are you professing that you truly understand the meaning of the cross?

Are you professing that through the sin of one, all were condemned?

Are you professing that you, as a part of this sinful, fallen world, are a sinner in need of a Savior?

Are you professing that you fully embrace His crucifixion as a necessary part of the plan to restore this sinful, fallen world to a right relationship with the Father?

Are you professing that you have accepted the gift of God’s grace freely given through the cross to restore you to that right relationship?

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
(Romans 5:15 (NIV))

If you only see Jesus as a good man, then the crucifixion is just evidence of society trying to keep people down. If you see Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, then you see the crucifixion and the resurrection as God’s love reaching out to pay the price and rescue us from our sins.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16 (NIV))

The choice has been, and always will be, yours to make. How you see Jesus will determine your answer. Personally, I choose to put my faith in His words, in His explanation.

What about you?

Why do you think Jesus came?

Copyright 1998 – 2024 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Are you even listening for His voice?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
     the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
     a highway for our God.
(Isaiah 40:3 (NIV))

These prophetic words were written many years before the actual events took place. For the duration of those years, the Israelites longed for the day that they would be fulfilled.

Did they understand them?

Do we understand them in the context in which they were written and in the context of their fulfillment?

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
     who will prepare your way”—
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
     make straight paths for him.'”
(John 1:1-3 (NIV))

In all honesty, there are two very distinct preparations that must be made. There is a subtle difference, but both are required.

People are to prepare both for the circumstances of His coming into this world, as well as we are called to prepare ourselves for His coming so that our hearts will be ready, willing and accepting!

To clarify, think back on a task that you were asked to do, but your heart was not in it. Did you do what needed to be done? Did you hate the task and therefore the very reason that it was required?

Now, think back on something that you were eager and willing to do because it was something that you loved. Your reaction is one of joy and anticipation.

Both are examples of preparing, but one is only an external facade, while the other is an internal celebration, an internal joy. With that in mind, how are you preparing for that voice calling in the wilderness?

Perhaps, I should ask a different question.

Are you even listening for His voice?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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For today, they ignore the Lord of glory!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(1 Corinthians 2:8 (NIV))

After two thousand years, we still have people who don’t understand!

We still have rulers and governments who don’t understand!

I hate to say this, but we even have religious leaders who don’t understand!

When Jesus walked the earth, He was not what the people expected the Messiah to be. The truth is that Jesus was not different from what the prophecies foretold. The sad fact is that the prophecies were misunderstood, and because of this, they carried out the ultimate form of betrayal.

They crucified Him!

Israel had walked away from God on so many occasions, and when they did return, they worshipped out of ritual instead of out of truth. It is sad that human ritual can pervert and corrupt even what is being done with good intentions. They spent so much time focused on the rituals that they lost the true meaning behind these rituals. Their temple sacrifices were to atone for sin when following the letter of the law still left everyone a sinner. The meaning of the sacrifices had become lost on the people. True repentance was not in their hearts.

Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
     Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
     I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
(Isaiah 1:13 (NIV))

They failed to realize that God had laid out a plan to draw people to Him. They failed to realize what God desired of them.

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
     and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
(Hosea 6:6 (NIV))

Are we any better today?

I would like to think that we are, but we still have our misconceptions of what God desires. We hear people proclaiming separation of church and state. We even hear government officials falsely proclaiming this. In almost every so-called modern nation, government is worldly with no reference to anything that is righteous in the eyes of God. I honestly believe that not only do our rulers and government officials not understand, they couldn’t care less about the things of the Lord. They have removed Him completely from the public stage and relegated the Savior of the world to nothing more than a joke in their eyes.

If you profess a faith in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, it is time to pray for our rules, our leaders and our governments. We need to pray that they will repent of their ignorance, . . .

For today, they ignore the Lord of glory!

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do you even get started?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
(Acts 5:42 (NIV))

They never stopped!

Not only that, they didn’t just proclaim Jesus to each other by giving their testimonies to their own group. They didn’t hide themselves away behind four walls. They did it publicly. They went house to house. They had something that they wanted, that they needed to share with all who would listen. They took Jesus to the people!

They were fulfilling the command that Jesus left with His disciples.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
(Matthew 28:19-20a (NIV))

They didn’t stop there, for they knew that the rest of this passage provided the power and authority to carry out what Jesus had commanded.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
(Matthew 28:20b (NIV))

They never stopped because they fully understood that Jesus was always with them!

Have we become timid in our faith? Are we too afraid of what others will think if we proclaim Jesus to all whom we see? Have we forgotten that we have been given a command to share the Gospel and that Jesus will be with us, leading us and guiding us every step of the way?

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
(Romans 8:31 (NIV))

If we have all of these assurances, why do so many of us fail to get to the point where we are looked upon as never stopping? With this in mind, I have one last question.

Do you even get started?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Don’t be led astray!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
(Matthew 24:5 (ESV))

Have you ever stopped to count the number of people in your lifetime who have claimed to be a messiah, if not the messiah?

From the likes of Jim Jones to David Koresh, we have seen many people who claim to be from God. Some people have even made statements about political leaders being the messiah. One even went so far where his followers called him their lord and savior on a nationally televised event. And now, recent events in Israel have rabbis saying that their messiah is alive and that they are now meeting with him.

If you profess a faith in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then you know that all of these individuals are not the real thing. There is only one Messiah, and His name is Jesus! He was born of a virgin. He taught. He performed so many miracles that they couldn’t all be recorded. He willingly went to the cross to die for our sins. On the third day, He was resurrected and walked among us once again. He ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father, and to all who will believe in Him, He intercedes for us and gives us eternal life in the presence of the Father. He will come again!

Are you ready to recognize the one true Messiah?

Will you be able to stand firm when others are being lead astray?

For those of you who are married, if you are put in a room full of people who claim to be your spouse, how do you recognize the true person that you are married to?

I realize that the answer to that last question is rather obvious, but I felt that it needed to be asked. The same way that we recognize our spouse is also the same way that we will recognize Jesus. Familiarity! This familiarity only comes from spending time together. It only comes from a familiarity that comes from an intimacy, a closeness, that is only found in that one relationship. It is found in no one else!

We know that Jesus will tell those who have not built that relationship to get away because He never knew them. I venture to say that this intimacy can go in the other direction. Put these false messiahs to the test, and don’t be afraid to tell them to get away because you don’t know them. This will require that you get to know Jesus and He gets to know you. Spend time in His Word. Spend time in prayer. Gather with other believers who are also seeking that intimacy with the Lord.

Can you recognize Jesus?

Don’t be led astray!

Copyright 1998 – 2022 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Are you paying attention?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times:
(Leviticus 23:4 (NIV))

I love the fact that the Lord has given us things to look at that represent His perfect plan. The sad thing is that we, as the church, as the Body of Christ, do not fully understand the meanings of the events that are second nature to the Jewish community. In reciprocal nature, the Jewish community does not understand the symbolism of their events and how they point to Jesus as the one and only Messiah.

We look at the passage that says that no man knows the hour or the day and perhaps we miss the symbolism in that phrase. The next Jewish festival that is to occur is Rosh Hashanah. That festival, which means head of the year, is different every year for it depends on the moon to be just right. It is known as the festival that no man knows the hour or the day. For reference, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated as the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.

I could probably go into many of the festivals and their symbolism, especially the ones that represent the events that transpired when Jesus walked the earth. Just suffice it to say that Jesus, as the Passover Lamb, went to the cross at Passover! He arose from the dead on First Fruits!

There are also many things within non-festival events, such as weddings, that point to Jesus. In a Jewish wedding, the bridegroom goes to prepare a place for his bride. Only when he is finished can the wedding take place. No one knows the day or the hour that he will return for his bride. Could this be a coincidence? For your information. this is where we get the parable of the ten virgins. I don’t want to digress and go into that, for that is not what I am trying to convey. What is important is that when the bridegroom does return for his bride, she is lifted up into the air to meet her bridegroom!

We, as the Body of Christ, must realize that we have been grafted into a lineage and history that is completely Jewish. We must watch and learn. God is unfolding things according to His timing and His calendar. He has given us hints as to what He is doing. No one person has the complete understanding for the time is not yet come when God will sound the last trumpet!

But, . . .

We must watch!

Are you paying attention?

Copyright 1998 – 2022 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Don’t be deceived because of your preconceived ideas!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
(Matthew 24:24 (NIV))

How well do you know God’s Word?

Can you tell the difference between the truth and a lie?

Do you think that you could be deceived by false messiahs and false prophets?

We think that we know Jesus, but does sitting in church for an hour a week bring you close enough to the Lord to be able to discern His voice over the many voices vying for your attention?

If a bank teller is taught how to recognize counterfeit money by becoming very familiar with the real thing, doesn’t it stand to reason that the only way for someone to truly recognize false messiahs and false prophets is to get to know the real Jesus, the true Messiah? In much the same way that money has a very distinguishable feel, Jesus has a very distinguishable truth to Him. You just need to take the time to know Jesus and not simply know a few sound bites that most people can relate to. Do you know why Jesus came into the world? Do you know what He taught about sin? Do you know what He taught about human traditions masquerading as worship? Do you know why He went to the cross? Do you know that the enemy knows God’s Word and will twist it to deceive you? Do you know that the enemy fears someone who truly relies on Jesus and who knows the power that is contained within the name of Jesus? Do you truly know Jesus?

There have been many false messiahs and false prophets throughout history. There will be a time when the ultimate false messiah will enter onto the world stage. Will you be able to recognize him when he performs his great signs and wonders?

We have all grown up hearing Bible stories. We have all heard preachers who put a twist to what they preach. Do you have any preconceived ideas because of these teachings? No one likes to be deceived. Now is the time to truly get to know Jesus. You must know Him as your personal Lord and Savior. You must know Him as the Lamb of God. You must know Him as the Mighty Warrior and the Prince of Peace. You must know that He hates sin but grace and mercy are freely given to all who will call upon His name and turn away from their sin. If someone or something does not call you to repent and turn away from your sin, then it is false. If someone or something doesn’t point to Jesus as the only way to the Father, then it is false. Do you have any preconceived ideas that are contrary to these two truths? It is time to know the real Jesus and not the sound bites.

Don’t be deceived because of your preconceived ideas!

Copyright 1998 – 2022 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Christmas is the celebration of the sign!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
(Isaiah 7:14 (NIV))

Immanuel. God with us!

Contrary to what the retailers try to tell us, Christmas isn’t about gifts. Contrary to what movies try to tell us, Christmas isn’t about Santa, the Grinch, or any of those feel good stories. Christmas is about one thing and one thing only.

The birth of the promised Messiah! The birth of God’s Son! The birth of Jesus!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
(John 3:16-18 (NIV))

This was and still is the greatest gift that has ever been given. Through Adam, we were lost in sin with no way out. Through Jesus, we can be redeemed. We can be made righteous in God’s eyes.

All of heaven rejoiced at His birth. The angels proclaimed the Good News and glorified God for giving us His Son.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
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 2:11-14 (NIV))

The angels announced the sign at His birth! They did not announce a sale. They did not announce that Santa is coming to town. They announced the birth of the Messiah, the fulfillment of the sign foretold in Isaiah.

Christmas is the celebration of the sign!

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Have you joined Simeon in praising God?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
(Luke 2:25-28 (NIV))

Simeon’s faith was strong. He desired nothing more than to see the Lord’s Messiah. When the time was right, he was obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit and his sole desire was granted to him. He waited a lifetime to see the Messiah. He did not sway from his desires. He did not sway in his faith that he would see the Messiah. He stood firm on the promises of God.

Do you long to see Jesus?

Do you have the patience and the faith that Simeon possessed?

Think about that. Simeon was an old man. He had waited his whole life to see the Messiah, and he probably only spent just a few minutes in His presence. Would that be enough for you? To Simeon, that was enough. He knew that everything else that the Lord had promised would come to pass because of the fulfillment of the promised Messiah whom he had held in his arms. Because of the fulfillment of God’s promise to Simeon in those few minutes, Simeon was faithfully and boldly able to proclaim the following.

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
      you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
      which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
      and the glory of your people Israel.”
(Luke 2:29-32 (NIV))

Have you joined Simeon in praising God?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do you recognize the spotless lamb?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
(Luke 2:8 (NIV))

We all know the story. Angels appear to the shepherds, but is there more to this than angels appearing to whom we think of as the lowest rungs on the ladder of society?

I have read articles and I have seen video accounts that speculate that these shepherds had a special flock to attend to. There is historical evidence that indicates that the flocks for the temple sacrifices were the animals that these shepherds were watching over. If that is the case, then they were watching over the very animals that would be offered as atoning sacrifices for the sins of Israel. I have not had an opportunity to validate this next statement, but think of the implications if this is true. I recently read that when a spotless lamb was born, it was wrapped in cloth and placed in a manger to separate it out from the rest of the flock. It was set aside to be the sin offering for the people of Israel. If that is true, then these shepherds knew the meaning of what the angel told them. They knew that the child was the perfect, spotless lamb of God!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:11-12 (NIV))

Is it any wonder why the shepherds left their flocks? Is it any wonder why they instinctively knew what was transpiring?

We are separated by over two thousand years since these events took place, but it seems that we are also separated by much more than that. The things that we read have so much more behind them than just a set of circumstances, a set of events that unfold as we read the words. If we truly knew and understood the Jewish society, the Hebraic Laws, the traditions and the geography of the area, we would have so much more understanding. Our eyes would be opened and our faith would soar!

The shepherds knew!

They left their jobs where they looked after the sheep that would be used as a method to temporarily atone for sins to go see the perfect lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.

Do you recognize the spotless lamb?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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