What do you see?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.
(Luke 2:30-32 (NIV))

When Simeon spoke these words, he was an old man whom God had promised would see his salvation. Can you imagine searching for something all of your life with such earnestness that once you find it, you feel that you have completed your purpose in life? Simeon was overjoyed, just as we should be.

Jesus was only a newborn infant when this occurred. Mary and Joseph had brought him to the temple to consecrate him to God. Simeon had been looking for salvation all of his life. Perhaps that is why he so readily recognized it when it was presented to him. To most people, Jesus was simply a baby just like all of the others. Simeon was able to look beyond the obvious and see the miraculous simply because he had been waiting expectantly for the miraculous.

During this Christmas season, are we able to see the miraculous just as Simeon was able to see when it happened? Can we see God at work even when the world doesn’t see what He is doing?

What do you see?

Copyright 1998 – 2018 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Have you accepted the salvation that has been prepared for you?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.
(Luke 2:30-32 (NIV))

When Simeon spoke these words, Jesus was only a newborn infant and Mary and Joseph had brought him to the temple to consecrate him to God. Simeon had been looking for salvation all of his life. Perhaps that is why he so readily recognized it when it was presented to him, even though, to most people, Jesus was simply a baby just like all of the others. Simeon was able to look beyond the obvious and see the miraculous.

In just a few days it will be Christmas. On the day that we celebrate what Simeon was able to see, can we see the miraculous in what we have just experienced, or is it just the obvious?

Have you accepted the salvation that has been prepared for you?

Copyright 1998 – 2017 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Does your step have a Godly bounce?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
(Micah 4:5 (NIV))

Does walking with the Lord our God give you joy?

There are so many things in this world that people are joyful for. Some find great joy in their possessions. Others find it in their work. Still, others find it in a new love relationship. I will be honest and say that some of these things that bring joy to people can be very uplifting. Just think about the knowledge of a job well done, and who can overlook the joy of looking into the eyes of a newborn child for the first time.

When someone is joyful, it is said that they have a bounce in their step. Everything about them exudes the joy that they feel on the inside.

Think about that for a moment!

If we can be joyful and have a bounce in our step from things that are fleeting, how much more joyful and how much bigger of a bounce should we have in our step because we walk with God? We should be so filled with joy that we do more than bounce. We should float. We should glow. We should radiate the joy that comes only from knowing Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior!

We should be so joyful that nothing of this world can steal our joy or our bounce!

I have only one question to ask of each of us.

Does your step have a Godly bounce?

Copyright 1998 – 2017 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Jesus is the only reason for the season!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
(Acts 4:12 (NIV))

I just love the way that God works!

When you think of someone coming to your rescue, you don’t think of a newborn baby. When you think of someone with authority to pardon, you don’t think of a newborn baby.

Jesus was not what the world was expecting. He is still not what the world is expecting. In fact, many people think that believing in Jesus is foolishness.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV))

During this time of year, we see many things in society. We see many people who are so afraid of what they consider foolishness that they can’t even speak two simple words. They refuse to say Merry Christmas. They prefer to say happy holidays. What is it within themselves that makes them tremble at these words? Don’t they realize that Jesus is the only reason for the season?

I am eternally grateful for the gift that we celebrate at Christmas, for salvation is found only through the one whom we celebrate. Even though I am grateful, I am saddened by those who shun the gift of grace and mercy. I am saddened by those who can’t and won’t say Merry Christmas.

Jesus is the only reason for the season!

Copyright 1998 – 2016 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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