Rev. Luke Powell Daily Devotions

Scrooge reminds us that living for the idol of Gain creates hearts that are bitter and hard. But hearts that count Christ more valuable than any gain - these hearts are filled with Christmas joy and peace.

In Charles Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol", many spirits are wandering the earth trying to do good to others, but discovering that it's too late for them to help. Let's remember Paul's wise words on doing good whenever we have the opportunity!

Mary sings a wonderful song of praise in Elizabeth's home, where her soul magnifies the Lord. Will our homes magnify the Lord this Christmas?

Elizabeth's husband doubted the good news he was given... but Mary accepted it in faith, and Elizabeth encourages her for her faith. How is your faith doing this Christmas? After a tough year, it would be easy to doubt God. But trust - His promises will still all be fulfilled!

Elizabeth and Mary were both humble servants of God - and this is why he chose them to play such vital roles in his mission. Will yours be a home of humility this Christmas?

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit as she celebrated Christ! As Christians we can only live the life God calls us to with the Spirit's help. Are you asking for the Spirit's filling and empowering this Christmas?

Elizabeth welcomed Mary into her home warmly, when she probably faced rejection at her own home. Will your home be a welcoming one this Christmas?

Forged Through Fire is a great story of hope. Dr Mark McDonough's hardships inspired him to become a reconstructive surgeon and help those going through similar trials to him. God will do the same for you and I - he will turn our tragedies into triumphs if we let him!

As Dr Mark McDonough lay in hospital recovering from his many burns, a friend showed him true compassion. Sometimes instead of giving advice to those in need, all we need to do is be present.

During a surgery, Dr Mark McDonough wakes up, and then has a near death experience. The bliss on the other side is real... but if you're still alive, it's because God has a plan for you.

Inspiration from Dr Mark McDonough's book "Forged Through Fire". During his recovery Mark received great encouragement from some special people. Perhaps you need to hear these words too today... or tell them to somebody else... 

This week we are getting inspiration from "Forged Through Fire" - the story of Dr Mark McDonough. As he recovered from the burns he sustained in a terrible fire, Mark learned what it really means to thirst. Are you grateful for the gift of being able to drink water? And have you tasted the living water that only Jesus gives?

After years of humble faithfulness, Moses (like all of us) loses it for a moment... and asks "must I do everything around here?" He forgot (as we all do) that every good gift comes from God.

As Moses' mountaintop turns into a desert, he asks yet another question: why is God allowing this to happen? We've all asked that one. One thing is certain: when we are in the desert, God is with us.

God does amazing things in Moses' life, and so he asks another question: who is like our God? Moses remembers to praise God during his big moments. Do you?

As God spoke to Moses through a burning bush, Moses asks a question: who am I? How can I do what you're calling me to? But eventually he stopped making excuses and followed his call. Will you?

Reading the life of Moses, we see that he often asked questions. It's ok to ask God questions in our journey with him.... because it's in Him that we find our answers.

When we hang out with our great Friend Jesus, we begin to look more like him... and this means offering mercy to people just as He did to us.

The greatest gift we receive from our friend Jesus is His forgiveness - the cancelling of our debts thanks to His payment on the cross. A story from John Ortberg illustrates this today.

We may all be sinners, but we know some good news: that Jesus is the friend of sinners!

It's not popular to admit we're all sinners in modern times, but it's true. We're not junk... we're not trash... but we've all fallen short.

Jonathan Edwards is famous for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". But is God angry, or merciful? Perhaps this event in Jesus' life tells us the story.

Paul talks about being a fool for Christ. David dances before the Lord with all his might. A couple donates their land to the church instead of selling. Are we willing to give all we have for His glory - even if the world thinks we look foolish?

Two great evangelists - Charles Templeton and Billy Graham - dealt with their doubts differently. One chose to hold onto his doubts, the other, his faith. Choose wisely friends!

God uses things that seem foolish to the world, to achieve wise and wonderful things. Believe, and you will see!