A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

By Jeremy Burkes

1st Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Most of us have made New Year's resolutions at one time or another. There are all sorts of resolutions, to lose weight, to try to be a better person, to break some bad habit, or to spend more time with family are just a few.
Some of us even make resolutions to pray more or to study our Bible more and then we begin to fade as the year goes on. We start with a lot of enthusiasm but then we become tired.
Our entire year would be much better if we would start out with God in the proper place in our lives and end up with Him still in the proper place. You may not make resolutions but as you enter the New Year make an increased effort to keep focused on God and His will.
Happy New Year to all of you.

JESUS

BY Jeremy Burkes
A Baby born in a manger,Born to the world a stranger,
To save us from sin's danger,
Died on a cross,to save the lost.
He rose on the third day,to prepare the way,
that we might have life,to live with His Father on High.


We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may God bless you greatly in the coming New Year. Walk with Jesus as you walk through the new year.
We will probably not post any new devotionals until next Monday. We appreciate you sharing the blessings of this site with us.
Shiloh Baptist Church

A GUARANTEED GIFT

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"Be sure and keep your receipt". How many times have you heard that? In addition to manufacturer's warranties and guaranties most reputable retailers will take and item you are not satisfied with back if you keep your receipt. Usually there is a time limit on bringing the item back.
In past years I have had to return some items because they were defective or would not work as advertised. I have bought things that quit working - right after the warranty ran out. I have even taken chances and bought things that were not guaranteed at all. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, that is just a chance you take.
The greatest guarantee in the world is to those who believe in Jesus Christ. It is a forever guarantee, it is life everlasting. You don't have to have a receipt, God keeps up with it all. He has the record of your salvation. You can't lose it, it can't be stolen, you can't wear it out. It is forever.
I am a firm believer in the security of the believer. I believe that God is able to keep everything that is committed to Him. If you have committed your life to Christ, it is in God's hands and that is a permanent situation.
Isn't it great to know that is a guarantee that will never run out?

CHRISTMAS LIGHT

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

There are a lot of things I really love about Christmas. The thing I like best is that for a short while the whole world is focused on the birth of our Savior whether they believe in Him or not.
I like the family gatherings, the food and so many other things. I usually let my wife do the decorating but I help and do what I am told to make things festive. We don't put up a lot of outside decorations and lights but we really do enjoy riding around and looking at the lights that others have.
There are many beautiful light displays, (I sometimes wonder how they afford their utility bills) in lots of places. Some cities make an annual effort to have a "festival of lights" or something like that and they are really beautiful.
Many have gone away from true Christmas themes and gone to less traditional light shows but I still like the Christian ones best.There are lights of just about every color, all of them pretty, but I think I like the natural ones best.
When you ride around and look at the lights this year, regardless of how they are displayed, try to think of the most beautiful light of all, "...The light of the World", Jesus Christ.
God gave us the gift of Light through Jesus, wasn't that a beautiful gift.

HAVE YOU BEEN WITH GOD LATELY?

By Jeremy Burkes

Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.

Have you ever been in the presence of God and not realized it? Most of us have. It could be that we are not looking for God most of the time if we are honest with ourselves.
I'll let you in on a little secret that everyone should know, God is everywhere. We are told in the book of Proverbs-
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Remember, whether we realize it or not, everything we say, everything we do, and everywhere we go, God is there. Have you been aware of God's presence lately?

I LOVE THE LORD BECAUSE

by Jeremy Burkes

Psalms 116:1-2 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. (2) Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

There are many reasons to love God. One of the reasons is that He answers prayer. When you talk to God in prayer He hears you and He answers you. Sometimes it is the answer you want and sometimes it is not the answer you want. We need to learn to accept God's answer no matter what it is.
Why do we love God? I love God because He first loved me. I love God because He hears and answers my prayers. I love God because He listens to me. There are many reasons we love God. Think of the ones that you can apply to yourself.

THE PERFECT GIFT IS A LASTING GIFT

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

It seems today that when someone makes something they plan on it being obsolete shortly after it comes on the market. They can then sell the new version. Some of the imported items we buy don't even have to become obsolete, they fall apart soon after you assemble them.(If you can understand the assembly instructions that come with them.)
Jesus is a gift that will last forever. In this statement He makes that clear. Before Abraham was, I am. He did not say I was but I am. Jesus is eternal, there was nothing before Him and there is no after Him.
When Moses asked God His name he answered, I Am. I once heard a preacher explain that in very simple terms. He said ,"Jesus Is, He always was Is, He is is, and He always will be is."
It is very comforting to me to know that I will never need an new version of my Savior. I do not need to upgrade. He will not fall apart or fade away. He is a gift that will last forever.