Listen to today’s devo!

Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. (Ps. 80:3)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 80

I fell asleep on duty, a big no-no. Manning my post as a military police officer in Panama at 7:30 in the morning is hard after a fitful night of sleep. The heater was on. The breakfast had settled. I was alone. My eyes were heavier than a sack of cinder blocks. I dozed for what seemed like seconds, but was awakened by a superior who promptly reported my misdeed.

I was relieved of duty and lost my right to serve until I received my punishment from the battalion commander. By God’s grace, I only lost a day’s wages. I retained my rank and with great joy and renewed determination to stay awake, my commander granted me permission to return to duty. He officially restored me to my intended purpose while on deployment to Panama in 1989.

The nation of Israel pleaded with God for restoration. They longed for God to restore them as a nation. They yearned for God to restore their joy, their freedom, their land, their prosperity, their intimacy, and their favor with God.

And we are no different. The gift of Jesus is God’s unfolding plan for our restoration. Christmas, then, is a seasonal reminder that God can revive our hopes, replace our dread with joy and peace, mend our brokenness, and refurbish our faith. With his gift, he has restored our rightful relationship with the Father.

Answer this question: What has God restored to you?

Jim Miller is a chaplain in the Army National Guard. He and his wife, Renee, live in Washington, DC, and enjoy spending time traveling with their two children. Jim recently released his first book, Vitamin T: Essential Biblical Truths for Growing Disciples (WPH).

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (Gal. 4:5)

Expanded Passage: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 22-23; Galatians 4:4-5

Contracts can be tricky things. This is especially true when the terms and conditions seem impossible to meet. Imagine signing a contract that required you to uphold 613 legal demands, with failure to meet some of them carrying the death penalty. That’s a bummer. And that is exactly what the Old Testament spelled out as God’s expectations for us. Testament, otherwise known as “covenant,” means “agreement or contract.” It contained an exacting law that no one could fulfill. The law was written by a holy God for unholy people; a perfect code for imperfect people—and therein lies the problem. We are a race of incredibly broken people who cannot hold up our end of the bargain.

Contrast that with a contract whose only terms require your faith, loyalty, and love for the contract writer. That is a welcome change. When Jesus paid for our contractual breach, he paved the way for our adoption into his family. Matthew 5:17 asserts that Jesus fulfilled the law. Therefore, the terms of this contract have been met for both parties by one party—Jesus. The result? You and I are no longer looking from the outside in. We are “in” God’s family and accepted because of our relationship to the Father. Receiving the Christ-child gift means we are adopted, justified, forgiven . . . and receive the promised outcome of the contract: eternal life.

Write down the benefits of being an adopted child of God.

Jim Miller is a chaplain in the Army National Guard. He and his wife, Renee, live in Washington, DC, and enjoy spending time traveling with their two children. Jim recently released his first book, Vitamin T: Essential Biblical Truths for Growing Disciples (WPH).

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law. (Gal. 4:4)

Expanded Passage: Galatians 4:4-5

It was a blistering August afternoon when I lit the match. My mom was watching soaps in the living room, and I was playing soldier in a field overgrown with weeds near our home. I had matches with me and thought I could re-create a war-ravaged scene by starting a fire and filling the air with smoke. I applied a match to a tuft of weeds and watched as the flame took hold and expanded outward in a circular pattern. What I didn’t realize was how rapidly the circle would grow.

Within seconds, panic set in as I feverishly tried to put out the fire. I rushed to the garden hose and doused what I could, but the voracious blaze consumed an entire acre of that field. Fortunately, patches of green weeds slowed the fire so I could extinguish it by stamping out sections the hose didn’t reach. My parents concluded that the burn barrel near the house must have caused it. I eventually confessed to the crime . . . in my twenties, after I moved out of the house.

When God sent Jesus into the world, the timing was perfect for a gospel wildfire. The Greek language provided a common tongue to convey an uncommon message. The Roman network of roads paved the way for traveling missionaries. The right prophetic mood prepared hearts to be receptive to the coming Messiah.

Consider how your world is ripe for a gospel wildfire.

Jim Miller is a chaplain in the Army National Guard. He and his wife, Renee, live in Washington, DC, and enjoy spending time traveling with their two children. Jim recently released his first book, Vitamin T: Essential Biblical Truths for Growing Disciples (WPH).

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matt. 1:23)

Expanded Passage: Matthew 1:23

It was a cold, pitch-black night in the West Paktika province of Afghanistan. My unit was stationed at Sharana, a large forward operating base (FOB) in an austere desert. I was their army chaplain. That evening, depression took hold like the grip of an anaconda. We had lost soldiers on this deployment. I had difficulty reaching my family back home because of connection issues. My devotions lapsed, and I felt . . . alone. This brand of loneliness gnawed at me, leaving me cold, distant, and unsettled.

Fortunately, I remembered that I am a child of God whose ubiquitous presence can be felt anywhere, no matter the geography. I cried out to God and discovered afresh, his name is Immanuel, “God with us.” Out of the pitch-black darkness came the resounding feeling that God was in that place with me, reassuring me and offering hope. In the weeks that followed, he provided me with a close brother in Christ that restored my faith. We memorized Scripture and prayed together each day in tents or sandy hills. My prayer and family connection was restored, and my devotions reacquired the warmth I desperately needed. I relearned that I am not alone. I am his own. You are too.

All of us can feel alone, even though we are never alone. The gift of God’s abiding presence can pull us out of the darkest, coldest nights we experience.

In your darkest hour, call on God first.

Jim Miller is a chaplain in the Army National Guard. He and his wife, Renee, live in Washington, DC, and enjoy spending time traveling with their two children. Jim recently released his first book, Vitamin T: Essential Biblical Truths for Growing Disciples (WPH).

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. (Matt. 1:22)

Expanded Passage: Matthew 1:22

My mother loved to garden, but I did not. In the late summer months, my mother would “invite” me to help her with inspecting the vegetables and picking what was ripe and ready for consumption. I did not admire, as she did, the size, color, and feel of the corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I was more fascinated with the size, color, and feel of the tomato worms that grew particularly plump in our garden.

Fortunately, my gracious mother would often reward me for my labor. The best reward was swimming. Our neighbors had a pool and a standing invitation, “Come swim anytime.” This promise I committed to long-term memory and frequently reminded her, in case she somehow forgot.

One blazing day, I pleaded with her to go swim after we were finished. She promised and delivered! I could tell that she was weary and I thought her promise might falter. To my utter amazement and joy, she kept her word and accompanied me to the pool.

When God makes a promise through his prophets, it is Jesus-clad. Our divine promise maker is a promise keeper. He has promised us peace, joy, answered prayers, strength, the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. God knows that “hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Prov. 13:12). Because he promised, he will deliver.

Find ten scriptural promises and commit them to memory.

Jim Miller is a chaplain in the Army National Guard. He and his wife, Renee, live in Washington, DC, and enjoy spending time traveling with their two children. Jim recently released his first book, Vitamin T: Essential Biblical Truths for Growing Disciples (WPH).

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 1:18)

Expanded Passage: Matthew 1:18

It was a cold, rainy night when she made the drop. Years ago, my wife Renee worked at a department store. Her duties required her to make the night deposit at the local bank. Because of the inclement weather, Renee borrowed her brother’s large, thick coat with a long hood. The coat changed her appearance from the kind, gentle, sweet woman my wife is to an imposing, menacing character with unknown intentions. When she walked into the bank foyer, a woman near the teller window observed this hulking creature shuffle in and concluded the worst. The woman screamed and frantically pressed the emergency button to alert the authorities, hoping they would throw her in the slammer. After revealing her true identity and intentions, the fear was replaced with raucous laughter over the misunderstanding.

Appearances can certainly be deceiving. My innocent wife was not a thief, and Mary was not unfaithful. Mary was guilty of nothing. She preserved her virginity while sporting a baby bump. Joseph must have been hurt and bewildered, assuming the worst, but when the angel assured Joseph that this baby was the Spirit’s doing and her conduct was beyond reproach, Joseph was relieved, and trust was restored.

Sometimes we misunderstand God and assign wrong motives to him. Fortunately, the gift of the Christ child cleared up the misunderstanding, vindicating Mary and saving the human race.

Pause a little longer to better understand God’s character and message.

Jim Miller is a chaplain in the Army National Guard. He and his wife, Renee, live in Washington, DC, and enjoy spending time traveling with their two children. Jim recently released his first book, Vitamin T: Essential Biblical Truths for Growing Disciples (WPH).

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isa. 7:14)

Expanded Passage: Isaiah 7:14

Signs point the way—or at least, that’s their purpose. The clarity of a sign largely depends on the communication ability of the sign designer. Sometimes signs don’t point, but confuse the way. One sign at an earring store read, “We pierce ears, half off.” Out on the highway a sign was seen that gave the directive, “Cruise Ships—Use Airport Exit” while at another place, two signs, posted side by side, warned, “Right Lane Ends; Left Lane Closed.

Two thousand years ago, God provided a very strange sign that must have utterly confused those who read it, “The virgin will . . . give birth to a son.” Those reading Isaiah’s prophecy must have concluded that his words were a mistake. Impossible! The sign-giver must have been saying something metaphorically. But he wasn’t.

This child not only pointed the way for humanity’s salvation, but also embodied the way in the person of Jesus. This sign could not be properly understood until fulfilled. The arrival of Jesus was the sign that God can do the impossible: a virgin birth for Mary and a spiritual birth for sinners. Both miracles were delivered through the Holy Spirit, and that sign read with unmistakable clarity, “I love you!”

Take the sign of the virgin birth at face value.

Jim Miller is a chaplain in the Army National Guard. He and his wife, Renee, live in Washington, DC, and enjoy spending time traveling with their two children. Jim recently released his first book, Vitamin T: Essential Biblical Truths for Growing Disciples (WPH).

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. (Ps. 79:9)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 79

In the past few years, our world has gone through sickness, war, natural disasters, death, and so much more. Hardship has not been difficult to see. The prayer I utter the most these days is, “Lord, have mercy on us.” We desperately need God to help us and do what he does best: deliver, save, and renew. In today’s verses, we are reminded that God has the characteristics of being merciful, mighty, gracious, and restorative to things that are messy and broken.

We need God to invade our lives and “help us, . . . deliver us and forgive our sins.” This psalm is an invitation for us to pray for ourselves, for others, and our world, and see God make all things new. God takes the hopeless situations and turns them into something we couldn't imagine, offering restoration and forgiveness for all.

Let us reflect on our own lives where there is sin or characteristics that do not align with the Spirit—then take a moment of repentance to acknowledge how we have fallen short and need God to come in and change our hearts. Then, we can receive the grace and forgiveness of God that gives us restoration in him. We can live in the transformative journey from repentance to restoration in the light of Psalm 79.

Reflect on the restoration and forgiveness God has given you.

Sarah Linder is a lay minister for congregational care at College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana, and a stay-at-home mom of three boys.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

But if you are led by the Spirit. (Gal. 5:18)

Expanded Passage: Galatians 5:16-26

My mentor constantly reminds me to create space for God in my life. I struggled to understand why I needed to make space if God is always with me. It then dawned on me that so many things in my chaotic life bring distraction and misguidance to what life is supposed to be like. I can quickly go down the rabbit hole of discontentment with what I have, grieve when it feels I don’t have as much time as I would wish for my relationships, and wonder if I am enough for my family, friends, and church.

A spiritual battle surrounds us. Voices of discouragement and messages from the world emphasize money, material possessions, and attention to have a whole and happy life. But often, we come away feeling less ourselves—more lonely, depressed, discouraged, and in a downward spiral of unhappiness.

But there is hope. “If you are led by the Spirit,” Paul says, we will have fruit that bubbles out of us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We can embrace a life that creates a community of unity, love, humility, and people who are entirely more themselves. Being led by the Spirit is a daily calling and choice to deny ourselves, go against the grain of our world, and let God lead us into a new way of being alive.

Reflect on how you are creating space for God in your life.

Sarah Linder is a lay minister for congregational care at College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana, and a stay-at-home mom of three boys.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Gal. 5:25–26)

Expanded Passage: Galatians 5:25-26

When Paul the apostle wrote Galatians, he wanted to urge and encourage believers to live in the Spirit. The Spirit is powerful, wise, and life changing. As believers, we are called to a different form of living that denies ourselves and takes on the attributes of God. When we restrict ourselves, we are not becoming less, but we are becoming more—more of who God created us to be, fully ourselves in him.

I wonder if Paul’s invitation is for us to create a community that brings unity, love, and humility. Did he envision a beautiful life that brings peace in the chaos, joy in all circumstances, and unconditional love to all we encounter? We can agree this sounds like a great idea, but how beautiful does it seem when life together means forgiving someone we think doesn’t deserve it? Or when we come face-to-face with our envy of another person and have to confess that we have coveted their life? Or when we confess our sin to someone, even though it’s risky?

Learning and practicing, listening, and discerning, and understanding where the Spirit is leading are all essential. But when you’re used to habits that lead toward a culture of death, habits that lead to life are unnatural—and you need companions with you on that difficult road. As we step with the Spirit, we all need encouragement, prayer, and wisdom.

Consider how honest you are being with your trusted community.

Sarah Linder is a lay minister for congregational care at College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana, and a stay-at-home mom of three boys.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.