One Year Bible Devotion

December 28, 2023

by Michael McDermott

FAITHFUL AND TRUE

Revelation 19:11-14 "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses."

Today's devotional contains a marvelous description of Jesus Christ at the end of the age. Try to visualize our majestic Lord upon a white horse with his eyes like a flame of fire and many crowns on His head. And then His clothing being a robe that is red like crimson. Oh such a glorious sight! Can you see it in your mind's eye? If you can't, you will see that sight literally one day.

Let's focus for a few moments on the names ascribed to Him. As we do, let's also try to identify with them.
FAITHFUL - Throughout scripture we are told of the faithfulness of the Lord. A great hymn of the church declares it well: "Great is Thy faithfulness; O God my Father..." In the gospels Jesus Christ challenges His followers to be faithful. Let's plan on being faithful every day of our lives this coming New Year.
TRUE - When Jesus walked this earth He was the embodiment of truth. He even declared Himself the same in John 14:6 - "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." We are called to walk in His truth and speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
WORD OF GOD - The Apostle John opens up the gospel that bears his name with "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) Now that the Word of God is in heaven, it is absolutely vital that we become containers of the Word of God in the earth. Get filled with it, speak it, live it, share it, read it, and love it all the time.

Thank you for reading these devotionals. It is my intent to pour the Word of God into as many people as possible and thus strengthen individuals and encourage them. It is also my desire to see as many people as possible devote themselves to the daily reading of scripture. Encourage your friends on Facebook to tap into this page. This is the week that I will purchase a new One Year Bible for the coming year. I'm excited about a new journey with the scriptures. I pick a different version to read every year. Choose a version of the Bible you like and let's walk together through the Word of God this coming year. You will be stronger by this time next year and your level of discipleship will be raised. You will also become more like Him: Faithful, True, the Word of God.

December 27, 2023

by Michael McDermott

SHEPHERDS NEEDED

Zechariah 10:2 - “For the idols speak delusion; the diviners envision lies, and tell false dreams; they comfort in vain. Therefore the people wend their way like sheep; they are in trouble because there is no shepherd.”

There are two problems in today’s text. First, people are looking for comfort in all the wrong places. Sound familiar? It’s as old as humanity itself. We tend to be drawn to seeking answers in places where there are none. Empty promises, empty dreams, empty cups of deception.

Second, there are no shepherds. The verses after this one reveal that God is really angry with Judah’s leaders. Their neglect as shepherds causes the Lord to announce that He will come and take care of His people.

When a person does not have a shepherd the results are two-fold: 1) the people wander like lost sheep; 2) the people are in trouble. The New Living Translation says, “…they are attacked because they have no shepherd.

Don’t be without a shepherd. Everyone needs one. And shepherds make sure to defend and protect the flock. The wolves are loose.