Monday, December 25

Daily Bible Reading

Double click on the verses to read the verses online. In the new window, click on the speaker icon to listen to the verses.

Old Testament: Nehemiah 1:1 - 2:20

New Testament Revelation 16:1-21

Psalms/Proverbs Psalm 147:1-11

Based on NIV Seasons of Reflection 365-Day Bible

Messages referring to the Bible Reading:

NEHEMIAH: REBUILDING THE WALLS
DON'T DESPAIR -- BEGIN TO REPAIR
DON'T DESPAIR -- DON'T HESITATE -- INVESTIGATE!
EARTH'S LAST TRIAL
THE AFFLICTED WILL BECOME THE AFFLUENT

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How to Read the Bible Book by Book
Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart; Price: $11.04(35% off)
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The Humble Christmas Tree

When I was five years old we lived in the small town of Rock Springs, Wyoming. My dad worked swing shifts in the coal mine.

He loved the work, but it was very hard on our family financially and with respect to my dad being home for us.

That Christmas we had no money to spare. My sister and I would have never known the amount of financial stress my parents were experiencing, but years later looking through a photo album we saw our little Christmas tree and inquired of my mother why we had "that" tree.

She told my sister and I that real trees were too expensive, so she got a package of green construction paper and a bunch of candy canes.

With some glue, tape, and the ornaments we already had we built the biggest and best Christmas tree I think I have ever seen.

Of all the Christmas trees we have had since, none have meant quite so much. I remember the details of that Christmas and the fact that we made that humble little paper tree with my two faithful parents.

Now, when I look at the picture of that tree I can't help but be grateful for the Spirit I felt at that young age.

We did not "have" in terms of worldly gifts, but we "had" an abundance of gifts from the Lord in terms of Christmas spirit, love, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I think I caught a glimpse of what Christmas is really about.

Jeremy Belinski

Wishing you a joyful Christmas celebrating Jesus, our Saviour's birth, and a blessed New Year.

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Praying with the Psalms
by Eugene H. Peterson; Price: $10.01 (-23%)
Customer Review: If you're familiar with "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, you will enjoy this daily devotional. I love what he says in his introduction, "We are most ourselves when we pray" and "When that deep, deep center of our lives is exposed -- our core humanity, which biblical writers so vigorously designate as "heart" -- [read more]

Categories: daily-thoughts Christmas perspective faith gifts

Christmas - A time to care

The mall was crowded, Christmas shoppers rushing from store to store.
Nobody paid attention, as she crouched there on the floor
She didn't look in trouble, and she didn't seem afraid.
Apparently she stopped to rest, she did not need my aid

A little girl of 8 or 9, and cute as she could be.
I wondered should I stop and ask if she needed help from me?
I wondered if her mother had just left her there alone.
I thought as i walked by her, in my haste to get back home

As I left the mall, I couldn't get her off my mind
Did that little girl need help? Was I just acting blind?
It bothered me so much,I had to go back to the mall.
I have to get this settled in my mind once-for-all.

The mall was closed, I heard some chain doors coming down.
But as I looked, the little girl was nowhere to be found.
Is it my imagination, that again is running wild?
Thinking I had lost my chance, to help this poor lost child.

I guess she must be fine, or she would be sitting here.
I get way too emotional at this time each year.
I had to leave and get back home, where it was safe and warm.
The weather forecast for that night, a chilling winter storm.

Late that night it happened , as the weather station said.
frigid cold and heavy snow, while I was snug in bed
On Christmas morning, i woke to winter's nasty caper.
The only place I'd go that day, was out to get my paper.

Cozy in my kitchen, with my news and a cup of tea.
But as I saw the front page, it just devastated me
On the front page down below, a little headline read.
"At the local shopping mall, a little girl found dead."

It was 4 A.M. this morning, when police received the call,
The caller said "a little girl had frozen in her sleep.
Many years have passed me now, but it still haunts my dreams,
Was the little girl they found, the same one I had seen.

I can't forget that little girl, no matter how I try.
But now when someone seems in need, I never pass them by.

Author unknown

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Categories: daily-thoughts Christmas attitude caring