Showing posts with label Noel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Noel. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2026

NEW CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL TAKES READERS FROM “ALLELUIA” TO “ZION”

Author Beth Willis Miller’s new book, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s intricately illustrated Nativity Alphabet. The 26-day devotional takes readers from “Alleluia” to “Zion,” combining Scripture, biblical research, practical application, prayer and reflection to keep Jesus Christ at the center of the Christmas season.  Available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL INVITES READERS TO DISCOVER CHRIST THROUGH THE “NATIVITY ALPHABET” FROM “ALLELUIA” TO “ZION”

Author Beth Willis Miller pairs Scripture, prayer and practical application with Krista Hamrick’s Nativity Alphabet artwork in a unique 26-day journey through the Christmas story

LAKELAND, Fla. — September 2026 — Just in time for the 2026 Christmas season, author Beth Willis Miller announces the release of her newest devotional, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, a Scripture-centered journey through 26 words that illuminate the birth, identity and mission of Jesus Christ.

The new book was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s original Nativity Alphabet art print. Hamrick’s 26 intricately painted illustrations—each representing a letter of the alphabet and an aspect of the Nativity—captured Miller’s imagination and inspired her to explore the biblical significance behind each word.

“Each of Krista’s illustrations is so special, almost like a tiny stained-glass window,” Miller said. “As I studied the 26 words she illustrated, my heart was drawn to dig deeper into Scripture and write a devotional around each one. My hope is that readers will see beyond the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas and focus their hearts anew on Jesus Christ.”

FROM ALLELUIA TO ZION

Beginning with A for Alleluia and concluding with Z for Zion, the 26-day devotional takes readers on an alphabetical journey through words connected to the Christmas story and the person of Christ:

Alleluia • Behold • Camel • Donkey • East • Fields • Gifts • Holy Night • Immanuel • Journey • Kings • Lion and Lamb • Miracle • Noel • O Little Town • Peace • Quiet • Rejoice • Shepherds • Tidings • Understanding • Victory • Wise Men • Excelsis • Yawn • Zion

Each chapter combines biblical research and devotional reflection with a Practical Application and Personalized Prayer, and Reflection Questions and Takeaways. Readers then move through three concluding reflection prompts—Look Up, Look In and Look Out—designed to help them consider what Scripture reveals about God, how His truth applies personally, and how that truth should influence their relationships with others.

The format makes 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet suitable for personal quiet times, Advent and Christmas-season reading, women’s ministries, Bible study groups, families and small groups.

KEEPING CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF CHRISTMAS

While the alphabet provides the framework, Miller says the central subject of every chapter is the same: Jesus Christ.

In the final devotional, “Zion,” Miller reflects on Psalm 9:11: “Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount Zion. Tell the nations what he has done.”

The chapter encourages readers to trust God when life feels uncertain and to remember His faithfulness and protection:

“Even though there are problems the size of mountains facing us, we can cry out to the Lord who created the mountains and is able to move them. As we sing praises to Him, and focus on Him and His truth, He will encourage our hearts and help us to tell the nations about the great things He has done!”

The accompanying prayer points readers toward the ultimate message of Christmas—the saving work of the One whose birth Christians celebrate:

“Lord Jesus, King of Zion, I put my trust in You today. You are my security and protection, my shield, my fortress, and my hiding place, and I sing praises to You.”

A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT

The book has already inspired a creative Christmas gift idea.

One reader in Indiana contacted Miller while preparing themed Christmas stockings for her entire family. Her theme for 2026 is the 26 letters of the alphabet, with gifts including Scrabble-tile coasters, Boggle and Bananagrams games, crossword puzzle books—and two of Miller’s alphabetical devotionals: Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

The idea highlights the book’s potential as a meaningful Christmas stocking stuffer, hostess gift, Bible study gift or Advent-season devotional.

For Miller, however, the greatest hope for the book is not simply that readers will work their way from A to Z, but that every letter will lead them back to Christ.

“My prayer is that these 26 devotionals will help readers slow down during a very busy season and rediscover the wonder of the Nativity,” Miller said. “From Alleluia to Zion, every page ultimately points us to Jesus—the greatest Gift ever given.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beth Willis Miller is a Christian author whose writing combines biblical study, devotional reflection and practical application to encourage readers to know Christ more deeply and apply the truths of Scripture to everyday life. Her books include Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Krista Hamrick is the artist behind the original Nativity Alphabet, a richly detailed collection of 26 illustrations depicting words and images associated with the Nativity and Jesus Christ. Her distinctive artwork provided the creative inspiration for Miller’s new devotional.

AVAILABLE NOW

26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet by Beth Willis Miller is available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

The devotional is especially suited for Advent and Christmas reading, individual quiet time, small-group Bible study, gift giving and Christmas stockings.

MEDIA CONTACT

Beth Willis Miller
Author, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet


WOW! What a wonderful surprise! 


My new book, 26 DEVOTIONS FOCUSING ON CHRIST IN THE NATIVITY ALPHABET, was listed as a #1 Best Seller on Amazon’s Hot New Releases! It is available now on Amazon at this link https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT




Available NOW on Amazon at this link 
https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

This beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, by Krista Hamrick so inspired author Beth Willis Miller that she wrote a devotional focusing on each of the 26 words illuminating the birth of Jesus Christ. Each of the 26 illustrations which Krista identified are so special, almost like stained glass windows, as Krista intricately painted each one. Beth's heart was drawn to write a devotional word study based on each of the 26 words illustrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Combining the beauty of Krista's artistic excellence with Beth's research of the 26 Nativity words, this devotional is perfect for individual quiet times or small group Bible studies focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ. Each of the 26 devotionals focusing on the Nativity Alphabet closes with a practical application and personalized prayer, ending with reflection questions and takeaways.

Great Ideas for Christmas Stocking Stuffers! Recently, a lady from Indiana contacted me to say she was preparing Christmas stockings for her whole family. They have a tradition of having the Christmas stocking gifts all related to a theme. This year for 2026, her theme is the letters of the alphabet (26 letters). She made coasters out of Scrabble tiles with words about each person, she bought mini-games of Boggle and Bananagrams, and crossword puzzle books. She also purchased my devotional Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and my brand-new book, 26 DEVOTIONS FOCUSING ON CHRIST IN THE NATIVITY ALPHABET, and thought they would be the perfect additions to the stockings!


Excerpt from "Chapter 26: Zion" from Psalm 9:11…

.
ERV: Sing praises to the Lord, who sits as King in Zion. Tell the nations about the great things he has done.
.
Expanded: Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount [dwells on] Zion [the location of the Temple]. Tell the nations [among the peoples] what he has done.
.
NCV: Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount Zion. Tell the nations what he has done.
.
Practical Application: What does it mean to trust the Lord, the King of Zion? It means looking to Him as the source of our security and putting our faith in the grace, love, power, and protection of God when the inevitable pressures of life come. It means knowing as the psalmist did that as the mountains surround and protect Zion, the city of Jerusalem, God himself surrounds and shields His people. When we trust the Lord, we don’t have to focus on the wicked and what they are doing or might do to us. We don’t have to rehash our own woes. Even though there are problems the size of mountains facing us, we can cry out to the Lord who created the mountains and is able to move them. As we sing praises to Him, and focus on Him and His truth, He will encourage our hearts and help us to tell the nations about the great things He has done!
.
Personalized Prayer:
Lord Jesus, King of Zion, I put my trust in You today. You are my security and protection, my shield, my fortress, and my hiding place, and I sing praises to You. When enemies surround me and troubles multiply, help me to remember that you are ever faithful and that you surround and protect me, both now and forever. Thank You for the free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of Your finished work on the Cross. Thank You that, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by Your precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for us and approval of us will never be determined by our performance is the most encouraging promise to which we cling—what great things You have done! In Your mighty Name Above All Names—King of Zion, we pray, amen.
.
Reflection Questions and Takeaways:

.
Look Up—meditate on Psalm 9:11 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
.
Look In—as you meditate on Psalm 9:11 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
.
Look Out—as you meditate on Psalm 9:11…pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.  



Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, has so inspired me.

Each of the 26 words in the Nativity Alphabet are so intricately illustrated, almost like stained glass windows.

My heart has been drawn to write 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.





Thursday, December 8, 2016

26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet----Noel

Nativity Alphabet by Krista Hamrick

Author Beth Willis Miller’s new book, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s intricately illustrated Nativity Alphabet. The 26-day devotional takes readers from “Alleluia” to “Zion,” combining Scripture, biblical research, practical application, prayer and reflection to keep Jesus Christ at the center of the Christmas season.  Available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT


The format makes 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet suitable for personal quiet times, Advent and Christmas-season reading, women’s ministries, Bible study groups, families and small groups. The book has already inspired a creative Christmas gift idea.

One reader in Indiana contacted Miller while preparing themed Christmas stockings for her entire family. Her theme for 2026 is the 26 letters of the alphabet, with gifts including Scrabble-tile coasters, Boggle and Bananagrams games, crossword puzzle books—and two of Miller’s alphabetical devotionals: Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

The idea highlights the book’s potential as a meaningful Christmas stocking stuffer, hostess gift, Bible study gift, or Advent-season devotional.

Available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, has so inspired me. Each of the 26 words in the Nativity Alphabet are so intricately painted, almost like stained glass windows. My heart has been drawn to write 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

While pondering the word, "Noel," I recalled this anointed and captivating new hymn. The first time we heard it, we were worshipping with Chris Tomlin at his recent Adore tour at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. We suddenly experienced an awesome sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the atmosphere when he introduced Lauren Daigle to sing his new song, Noel, Love incarnate, love divine, Star and angels gave the sign, Bow to babe on bended knee, The Savior of humanity, Unto us a Child is born, He shall reign forevermore, Noel, Noel, Come and see what God has done, Noel, Noel, The story of amazing love! The light of the world, given for us, Noel. Son of God and Son of man, There before the world began, Born to suffer, born to save, Born to raise us from the grave, Christ the everlasting Lord, He shall reign forevermore. This led me to a word study of Titus 2:11…

NASB: 
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men

Amplified: For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind

Phillips:  For the grace of God, which can save every man, has now become known

Wuest: For the grace of God bringing salvation, appeared to all men

Weymouth: For the grace of God has displayed itself with healing power to all mankind

Young's
 Literal: For the saving grace of God was manifested to all men

Expanded Bible: For God’s grace that can save everyone has ·come [appeared; been revealed].

Pastor John MacArthur writes, ”The Apostle Paul culminates his teaching in Titus 2:11 on how believers are to live by emphasizing where it begins…with the grace of God. God’s grace is His unmerited favor toward wicked, unworthy sinners, by which He delivers them from condemnation and death. But the grace of God is more than a divine attribute; it is a divine Person, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ not only was God incarnate but was grace incarnate. He Himself personifies and expresses the grace of God, the sovereign, eternal, and unmerited divine gift of Him who has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.”

Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon writes, “In the person of Christ the grace of God is revealed, as when the sun arises and makes glad all lands. It is not a private vision of God to a favored prophet on the lone mountain’s brow; but it is an open declaration of the grace of God to every creature under heaven— a display of the grace of God to all eyes that are open to behold it. When the Lord Jesus Christ came to Bethlehem, and when He closed a perfect life by death upon Calvary, He manifested the grace of God more gloriously than has been done by creation or Providence. This is the clearest revelation of the everlasting mercy of the living God. In the Redeemer we behold the unveiling of the Father’s face. What if I say the laying bare of the divine heart? To repeat the figure of the text, this is the dayspring from on high which hath visited us: the Sun which has arisen with healing in His wings. The grace of God hath shone forth conspicuously, and made itself visible to men of every rank in the person and work of the Lord Jesus. This was not given us because of any deserving on our part; it is a manifestation of free, rich, undeserved grace, and of that grace in its fullness. The grace of God has been made manifest to the entire universe in the appearing of Jesus Christ our Lord."

Theologian A. W. Pink writes: "The Apostle Paul enforces what he said in Titus 2:11 by reminding us that "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." This is in blessed contrast from the Law, which brings nothing but "condemnation." But the grace of God brings salvation, and that in a twofold way—by what Christ has done for His people, and by what He works in them. "He shall save His people from their sins"—save from the guilt and penalty of sin, and from the love or power of sin. This grace of God "has appeared"—it has broken forth like the light of the morning after a dark night. The grace of God—His loving-kindness, His goodwill, His free favor—hath appeared "to all men."

Pastor Charles Swindoll writes: "Grace is summed up in the name, person, and work of the Lord Jesus Christ...He stood alongside a woman caught in adultery. The Law clearly stated, “Stone her.” The grace killers who set her up demanded the same. Yet Christ said to those self-righteous Pharisees, “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” What grace! Under the Law they had every legal right to bury her beneath the rocks in their hands...and they were ready. There they stood with self-righteous fire in their eyes, but He intervened in grace. When His friend Lazarus died, Martha met Him on the road and Mary later faced Him in the house. Both blamed Him for not coming earlier: “If You had been here, my brother would not have died!” There is strong accusation in those words. He took them in grace. With the turn of His hand, He could have sent them to eternity; but He refused to answer them back in argument. That is grace. When He told stories, grace was a favorite theme. He employed a gracious style in handling children. He spoke of the prodigal son in grace. As He told stories of people who were caught in helpless situations, grace abounded…as with the good Samaritan."

Pastor Charles Swindoll continues, “Understanding what grace means requires our going back to an old Hebrew term that meant “to bend, to stoop.” By and by, it came to include the idea of “condescending favor.” If you have traveled to London, you have perhaps seen royalty. If so, you may have noticed sophistication, aloofness, distance. On occasion, royalty in England will make the news because someone in the ranks of nobility will stop, kneel down, and touch or bless a commoner. That is grace. There is nothing in the commoner that deserves being noticed or touched or blessed by the royal family. But because of grace in the heart of the royal person, there is the desire at that moment to pause, to stoop, to touch, even to bless. To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it. Receiving God’s acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved. In no way is the recipient getting what he or she deserves. Favor is being extended simply out of the goodness of the heart of the giver. One more thing should be emphasized about grace: It is absolutely and totally free. You will never be asked to pay it back. You couldn’t even if you tried. Most of us have trouble with that thought, because we work for everything we get. As the old saying goes, “There’s no free lunch.” But in this case, grace comes to us free and clear, no strings attached. We should not even try to repay it; to do so is insulting.”

Greek scholar Kenneth S. Wuest writes, “When grace is used in the New Testament, it refers to that favor which God did at Calvary when He stepped down from His judgment throne to take upon Himself the guilt and penalty of human sin. God has no strings tied to the salvation He procured for man at the Cross. Salvation is given to the believing sinner out of the pure generosity of God’s heart. The Greek word for grace, charis, is from chairo which means to rejoice. Charis referred to an action that was beyond the ordinary course of what might be expected, and was therefore commendable. What a description of that which took place at the Cross!”

We are recipients of great favor and a great inheritance. We are the righteous—those in right standing with the Father by virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection—the Lord’s own inheritance. Because we belong to Him and are His heirs, God blesses our lives with deliverance, direction, and continual access into His presence. Because of His unfailing love for us, we can enter His throne room and receive His grace. When we ask Him to tell us what to do, He will show us which way to turn and will always lead us on the right path. To top it all off, He encompasses, or encircles, us with the shield of His love, which means that He covers us with his favor and with the approval that he bestows on the righteous. This is a wonderful thing to petition the Lord for, on behalf of your loved ones and for your own life.

A pastor’s wife once told this true story of a time she was walking down a path in a park, when suddenly, she could see a man running toward her with an evil intent and expression on his face. She cried out, “Jesus, help me!” and instantly she said she actually saw a “hoop skirt of light” shining down around her, and the evil man just kept running past her, as though he had not seen her, and she was safe.

Heavenly Father, thank You that I know that I know that I know that because I have placed my trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, I am redeemed by His precious blood, He has crowned me, surrounded me, encircled me with His glory and honor.  I ask You to lead me down right paths and to show me which way to turn. Thank You for protecting me from my enemies. You and you alone deliver me from them! Thank You for surrounding me with the shield of your love and favor. Thank You for how Your favor is operating and functioning in my life. It surrounds me and encircles me like a shield. Your favor goes before me and prepares my way. Your favor opens doors of blessing and opportunity in my life. Wherever I go and whatever I do, Your favor is with me, surrounding me, encircling me. Your favor fills my life with overflowing blessing, peace, joy, fulfillment, and abundance. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.


Look Up—meditate on Titus 2:11  … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In
—as you meditate on Titus 2:11 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on Titus 2:11 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.


* If you liked this post, you’ll love this book – 
Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ


Weekly LinkUps…

Saturday, December 19, 2015

grace came down...

artwork by Tamara Peterson

This beautiful work of art by TamaraPeterson is a perfect match for this anointed and captivating new hymn…as we were worshipping with Chris Tomlin at his recent Adore tour at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, we suddenly experienced an awesome sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the atmosphere when he introduced Lauren Daigle to sing his new song, Noel, Love incarnate, love divine, Star and angels gave the sign, Bow to babe on bended knee, The Savior of humanity, Unto us a Child is born, He shall reign forevermore, Noel, Noel, Come and see what God has done, Noel, Noel, The story of amazing love! The light of the world, given for us, Noel. Son of God and Son of man, There before the world began, Born to suffer, born to save, Born to raise us from the grave, Christ the everlasting Lord, He shall reign forevermore. This led me to a word study of Titus 2:11…

NASB:
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men

Amplified: For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind

Phillips:  For the grace of God, which can save every man, has now become known

Wuest: For the grace of God bringing salvation, appeared to all men

Weymouth: For the grace of God has displayed itself with healing power to all mankind

Young's
Literal: For the saving grace of God was manifested to all men

Expanded Bible: For God’s grace that can save everyone has ·come [appeared; been revealed].

Pastor John MacArthur writes, ”The Apostle Paul culminates his teaching in Titus 2:11 on how believers are to live by emphasizing where it begins…with the grace of God. God’s grace is His unmerited favor toward wicked, unworthy sinners, by which He delivers them from condemnation and death. But the grace of God is more than a divine attribute; it is a divine Person, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ not only was God incarnate but was grace incarnate. He Himself personifies and expresses the grace of God, the sovereign, eternal, and unmerited divine gift of Him who has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.”

Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon observes that...”In the person of Christ the grace of God is revealed, as when the sun arises and makes glad all lands. It is not a private vision of God to a favored prophet on the lone mountain’s brow; but it is an open declaration of the grace of God to every creature under heaven— a display of the grace of God to all eyes that are open to behold it. When the Lord Jesus Christ came to Bethlehem, and when He closed a perfect life by death upon Calvary, He manifested the grace of God more gloriously than has been done by creation or Providence. This is the clearest revelation of the everlasting mercy of the living God. In the Redeemer we behold the unveiling of the Father’s face. What if I say the laying bare of the divine heart? To repeat the figure of the text, this is the dayspring from on high which hath visited us: the Sun which has arisen with healing in His wings. The grace of God hath shone forth conspicuously, and made itself visible to men of every rank in the person and work of the Lord Jesus. This was not given us because of any deserving on our part; it is a manifestation of free, rich, undeserved grace, and of that grace in its fullness. The grace of God has been made manifest to the entire universe in the appearing of Jesus Christ our Lord."

Theologian A. W. Pink writes: "The Apostle Paul enforces what he said in Titus 2:11 by reminding us that "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." This is in blessed contrast from the Law, which brings nothing but "condemnation." But the grace of God brings salvation, and that in a twofold way—by what Christ has done for His people, and by what He works in them. "He shall save His people from their sins"—save from the guilt and penalty of sin, and from the love or power of sin. This grace of God "has appeared"—it has broken forth like the light of the morning after a dark night. The grace of God—His loving-kindness, His goodwill, His free favor—hath appeared "to all men."

Pastor Charles Swindoll writes: "Grace is summed up in the name, person, and work of the Lord Jesus Christ...He stood alongside a woman caught in adultery. The Law clearly stated, “Stone her.” The grace killers who set her up demanded the same. Yet Christ said to those self-righteous Pharisees, “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” What grace! Under the Law they had every legal right to bury her beneath the rocks in their hands...and they were ready. There they stood with self-righteous fire in their eyes, but He intervened in grace. When His friend Lazarus died, Martha met Him on the road and Mary later faced Him in the house. Both blamed Him for not coming earlier: “If You had been here, my brother would not have died!” There is strong accusation in those words. He took them in grace. With the turn of His hand, He could have sent them to eternity; but He refused to answer them back in argument. That is grace. When He told stories, grace was a favorite theme. He employed a gracious style in handling children. He spoke of the prodigal son in grace. As He told stories of people who were caught in helpless situations, grace abounded…as with the good Samaritan."

Pastor Charles Swindoll continues, ”Understanding what grace means requires our going back to an old Hebrew term that meant “to bend, to stoop.” By and by, it came to include the idea of “condescending favor.” If you have traveled to London, you have perhaps seen royalty. If so, you may have noticed sophistication, aloofness, distance. On occasion, royalty in England will make the news because someone in the ranks of nobility will stop, kneel down, and touch or bless a commoner. That is grace. There is nothing in the commoner that deserves being noticed or touched or blessed by the royal family. But because of grace in the heart of the royal person, there is the desire at that moment to pause, to stoop, to touch, even to bless. To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it. Receiving God’s acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved. In no way is the recipient getting what he or she deserves. Favor is being extended simply out of the goodness of the heart of the giver. One more thing should be emphasized about grace: It is absolutely and totally free. You will never be asked to pay it back. You couldn’t even if you tried. Most of us have trouble with that thought, because we work for everything we get. As the old saying goes, “There’s no free lunch.” But in this case, grace comes to us free and clear, no strings attached. We should not even try to repay it; to do so is insulting.”

Greek scholar Kenneth S. Wuest writes, “When grace is used in the New Testament, it refers to that favor which God did at Calvary when He stepped down from His judgment throne to take upon Himself the guilt and penalty of human sin. God has no strings tied to the salvation He procured for man at the Cross. Salvation is given to the believing sinner out of the pure generosity of God’s heart. The Greek word for grace, charis, is from chairo which means to rejoice. Charis referred to an action that was beyond the ordinary course of what might be expected, and was therefore commendable. What a description of that which took place at the Cross!”

We are recipients of great favor and a great inheritance. We are the righteous—those in right standing with the Father by virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection—the Lord’s own inheritance. Because we belong to him and are his heirs, God blesses our lives with deliverance, direction, and continual access into his presence. Because of his unfailing love for us, we can enter his throne room and receive his grace. When we ask him to tell us what to do, he will show us which way to turn and will always lead us on the right path. To top it all off, he encompasses, or encircles, us with the shield of his love, which means that he covers us with his favor and with the approval that he bestows on the righteous. This is a wonderful thing to petition the Lord for, on behalf of your loved ones and for your own life.

A pastor’s wife once told this true story of a time she was walking down a path in a park, when suddenly, she could see a man running toward her with an evil intent and expression on his face. She cried out, “Jesus, help me!” and instantly she said she actually saw a “hoop skirt of light” shining down around her, and the evil man just kept running past her, as though he had not seen her, and she was safe.

Heavenly Father, thank You that I know that I know that I know that because I have placed my trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, I am redeemed by His precious blood, He has crowned me, surrounded me, encircled me with His glory and honor. Thank you for letting me see the Savior! Jesus is alive, he has come and is coming again! Lord Jesus, thank you for being a light to reveal God to the nations so that more people can know and worship our Father. Thank you for bringing us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. I want to shine your light everywhere I go so that everyone around me will be drawn to you. I ask you to lead me down right paths and to show me which way to turn. Thank you for protecting me from my enemies. You and you alone deliver me from them! Thank you for surrounding me with the shield of your love and favor.Thank you for how Your favor is operating and functioning in my life. It surrounds me and encircles me like a shield. Your favor goes before me and prepares my way. Your favor opens doors of blessing and opportunity in my life. Wherever I go and whatever I do, Your favor is with me, surrounding me, encircling me. Your favor fills my life with overflowing blessing, peace, joy, fulfillment, and abundance. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Titus 2:11

Look In
—as you meditate on Titus 2:11 pray to see how you might apply it to your life.

Look Out—as you meditate on Titus 2:11 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others.


Weekly LinkUps…

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