Category: From Creation to Christ – Advent Christmas

Advent Day 4 – Trust and Obey: Lessons from Abram and Jesus (Genesis 12 + Luke 4)

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Luke 4

Today the kids and I read our fourth advent devotional in “From Creation to Christ” along with Luke 4. If you don’t have your own copy, you can order your own a Kindle version instantly, while you wait for the paper copy to arrive.

“Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. … So Abram went, as the LORD had told him.”

– Genesis 12:1, 4a ESV

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.”

– Luke 4:1-2 ESV

My husband and I are about to celebrate our twenty-eighth wedding anniversary. Many of those years have been hard, friends, and sometimes I’ve questioned what God is up to. Why did He put the two of us together?

In the first five years of homeschooling, I often second guessed whether God had really called me to this because it was an uphill battle day after day. Now with the end of my homeschooling days on the horizon, I can look back and see God’s hand with me every step of the way. I know that God has carried me and walked with me, even though the path has been at times twisty and rocky.

Our culture has sold us the lie that if we obey God, then everything will be smooth sailing. Don’t believe it. It wasn’t smooth sailing for Noah or Abram. It wasn’t smooth sailing for John the Baptizer or Jesus Christ or His disciples. Don’t be surprised when it’s not smooth sailing for you.

My job isn’t to question and argue and second-guess, to help God figure out where I ought to turn. My job is to follow where God leads and stay on the path that He has set before me. My job is to trust and obey.

Heavenly Father, You know all the answers. You know what path is best. You are almighty. You are all-knowing. And You are good. Help me to trust You and to stay on that straight and narrow path. Help me to go where You lead me. Help me to follow You rather than trying to get out front. Help me to go where You send me. Help me to trust and obey. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my faithful Shepherd I pray. Amen.

Advent Day 3 – Noah’s Ark + John the Baptizer (Genesis 6-9; Luke 3)

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Luke 3

I am really enjoying reading my “From Creation to Christ” devotional along with Luke 3. It has been really interesting to see how God puts the topics of these readings together. The Kindle ebook version is FREE now through Monday, December 4 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Merry Christmas! Hurry and get your copy today and share it with your friends!

Though we don’t know what exactly Noah said to those living around him, 2 Peter 2:5 calls Noah, “a herald of righteousness.” Though we don’t know exactly how Noah was treated by those who saw him building an ark in a desert, Hebrews 11:7 says that, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

We know more about John. We know that John “went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3 ESV) We know that John had fiery words to say to his Jewish brothers who came to be baptized by him.

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Luke 3:7b-9 ESV

I was reminded this morning that John’s father, Zechariah, was a priest, but we see here in Luke 3 that John answered the crowds, even those detested tax collectors and soldiers, who asked, “What shall we do?” And again and again John pointed people to the One who is mightier than him, the one who was yet to come, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, who would gather the wheat into His barn and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.

But Noah’s life and John’s life ended very differentlly. Noah’s life was spared, while John was locked up in prison (Luke 3:20) and eventually beheaded (Matthew 14:1-12).

So I’m asking myself, am I willing to be a herald of righteousness?

Am I willing to preach repentance or am I too afraid of what people will say?

Do I fear the disapproval of man … or of God?

Heavenly Father, make me like John and Noah. Make me a herald of good news. Help me to preach repentance and the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. I know how this story ends. I know that Jesus came, and I know that He is coming again. Help me to live for Your glory, rather than my own. Help me to love my neighbor more than I love my own comfort. Give me Your strength. Give me Your words. Guide me where You want me to go. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior, I pray. Amen.

Advent Day 1 – God Always Has a Plan (Genesis 1; Luke 1)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Luke 1

The kids and I read our daily Advent devotional in “From Creation to Christ” along with our Luke 1 Bible passage. The Kindle ebook version is FREE now through Monday, December 4 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Merry Christmas! Hurry and get your copy today and share it with your friends!

What jumped out at me this time was that God had a plan for everything He made in the six days of creation, and God had a plan in the birth of John and of Jesus. Though both of these first born sons were miraculous gifts from God, God sent John to be born to an elderly priest and his barren wife, while God sent Jesus to be born of a young woman not yet married. John was conceived by an earthly father, while Jesus was God’s own begotten Son, born of the Holy Spirit Himself.

As an atheist I struggled to find purpose in my life. I was taught again and again that everything I saw, including myself, had evolved through a series of random events over billions of years. What a lie! And a lie with major consequences.

God wanted John to be named John (G2491 Ἰωάννης iōannēs) from the Hebrew name (H3110 יוֹחָנָן yôḥānān) which means “Jehovah is a gracious giver” or “Jehovah has graced,” and God wanted His Holy Son to be called Jesus (G2424 Ἰησοῦς iēsous) from the Hebrew name (H3091 יְהוֹשׁוּעַ yᵊhôšûaʿ) which means “Jehovah is salvation.”

God has purpose for every thing He makes. He designed the water, air, earth, stars, plants and animals to work together, and He designed John and Jesus, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph, to work together, too. What a privilege it is to be part of God’s kingdom and part of God’s family!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for making me. Thank You for making the trees that stretch high up into the sky, towering over us, and thank You for making ants that crawl along the ground. I pray that You will encourage me to walk by faith and to accomplish the good works that You have created in advance for me to do. I am Your poema, Your workmanship. Thank You, Father, for creating each of my children for a unique purpose. Guide them by Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, I pray. Amen.

“From Creation to Christ” meets Luke 1: Advent Day 1

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Luke 1

Today, December 1, is the first day of Advent. I’ll be reading the first devotional in “From Creation to Christ” along with Luke 1. If you haven’t bought your own copy, download the Kindle version today!

The Power and Gift of Music: Thoughts from 1 Samuel 16

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Samuel 16

When the harmful spirit was tormenting Saul, music would refresh him. I have experienced first hand the power that music has over me. It can make me feel anxious or peaceful, excited or restful.

Lyrics, too, have such power. Memorizing lyrics to a song is so much easier than a paragraph of text of a similar length. What lyrics do you want stuck in your head? A jingle from some obnoxious commercial you saw on TV last night or a psalm, hymn, or spiritual song?

This is why my advent book features two songs every day. In fact, I created an Advent Playlist on YouTube to accompany it.

For the next month, pay attention to the songs running through your head and what impact they have on your thoughts and your mood.

Psalm 1
All Creatures of our God and King
Is He Worthy
The First Noel

The Story of the Candy Cane

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According to the legend of the candy cane, this candy was first created over 200 years ago. At that time, in certain areas of Europe, Christians were oppressed, and no one could have their own crosses or Bibles. When Christmas came around, children didn’t get to see nativity scenes or enjoy learning about the truth of Christmas.

One man wished he could share the love of Jesus and the joy of Christmas with the rest of the world. As a candy maker, this man prayed to find a way that he could offer local children a Christmas gift that would allow him to communicate the real story of Christmas.

His prayer led to an idea – the candy cane. I hope you will take his idea and share it with others.

Shepherd’s Staff: He chose to make the candy cane in the shape of a shepherd’s staff. After all, Jesus is the shepherd to his followers and the Bible notes that the “sheep” would hear His voice and follow him (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11, John 10:27-30, Isaiah 40:11).

Letter J for Jesus: Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a “J,” which stood for Jesus (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21).

Solid as a Rock: The candy maker chose hard candy for the candy cane, which was done to remind children that Jesus was our “rock,” dependable and strong (Psalm 31:3).

White Base: The white base of the candy cane represents the purity of sinless Jesus and the cleansing we receive through His blood. (1 Peter 1:19, 1 John 1:7, Hebrews 9:12-4).

Red Stripes: Red stripes were added to the candy cane, representative of the blood Jesus shed for our sins. Through trusting in Jesus Christ, we are saved from the punishment of our sins and given eternal life. (Isaiah 53:4-7, Revelation 1:5)

Sweet Fragrance: Peppermint is the flavor traditionally used the candy cane. Peppermint is very similar to hyssop, which was used for sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament, reminding us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Peppermint also reminds us of the fragrant spices brought by the Wise Men when they came to visit Jesus (Psalm 51:7, Matthew 2:9-11).

Given as a Gift: The candy cane was made to be given as a gift. This reminds us of the greatest gift ever given, the gift of God’s only Son, Jesus, as well as the gift of faith that leads us to the priceless gift of salvation. (John 3:16, Romans 6:23)

the-story-of-the-candy-cane-1Download

My Favorite Passage of Scripture

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I love the writings of Peter because he’s so outspoken and quick.

I love the writings of John because he’s so fixed on the mutual importance of truth and love.

But I have a special place in my heart for Paul because he was once a blasphemer and opponent of the gospel like me.

Every time I read Paul’s letter to Timothy, his child in the faith, I am reminded anew of God’s unique calling and purpose for me and how greatly His grace and love have overflowed in my life.

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:12-16 ESV

Does your testimony sound different from mine and Paul’s? Were you never a persecutor of Christians and an opponent of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Great news! God still has a unique purpose and calling for YOU! God still wants to use YOU as an example of His perfect patience.

Whether you grew up from infancy surrounded by Words of Truth whispered over you as you slept, or you walked in utter darkness until adulthood, the light has come for you. Now go and share the good news with others this holiday season. It’s never too late to tell someone about the saving faith available to all through trusting in Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:8-13 ESV

Preparing our Hearts for Christ

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We usually begin our celebration of Advent on the Monday four weeks before Christmas, so today we will read Day One of our “From Creation to Christ: A Family Advent Devotional” book.

The paperback version available on Amazon for $14.99 and includes 25 devotionals with accompanying songs, scriptures, and full-color graphics. There’s also an ebook available that includes links to lyrics videos for all 50 songs.

You can download a free PDF for the ornaments here.

And checkout my advent playlist on YouTube.

The daily devotionals were originally published here on my blog in 2020. They are still available here, but I have made quite a few improvements since originally writing them. Hope you enjoy and pass it on!

Advent Season Starts Soon

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Last year I published my fourth book – a daily advent devotional. This summer I spent two weeks updating it with comments I’d received from readers. I hope it’s as much of a blessing to you and your family as it has been to me and mine.

It’s available on Amazon or Kindle. It takes about 10-12 days for delivery so order today to make sure you have it before advent begins.

From Creation to Christ: A Family Advent Devotional Tracing the Story of the Savior Through Scriptures, Stories, Songs, and Pictures https://a.co/d/d0eN3sm

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From Creation to Christ: A Family Advent Devotional Tracing the Story of the Savior Through Scriptures, Stories, Songs, and Pictures

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I’ve been working hard to get my new family advent devotional book publishedin time for this Christmas season … and it finally happened!

If you order a copy directly from Amazon TODAY you will receive it on about December 2, so I ordered a bunch of copies that will be here November 29 (God willing!).

If you know anyone in the Memphis area who would like a copy, please let me know and I’ll sign and hand deliver it!


From Creation to Christ: A Family Advent Devotional Tracing the Story of the Savior Through Scripture, Stories, Songs, and Pictures