Ken Crawford

Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…. The Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.”
– Luke 1:46 (NIV)

While Mary’s submission to God’s will costs her in ways we can never imagine, for Jesus to come to life in the hearts of people today our attitude must be the same as her attitude was on this night of miracle and mystery. We too, must be willing to be the Lord’s servant and offer him the praise of our lives and of our lips. In Jesus, the Lord has done great things for us. Our joy comes from above!

Majestic Father, Almighty God, you have done wonderful things for me. You have saved me from sin, you have paid the price for my rebellion, and you have given me the promise of heaven and the Holy Spirit to empower me there. You are greater than I can imagine and your glory is without compare, yet you have stooped so low as to reach me and then raised me back up with you by your grace. I can never fully thank you, for you are more wonderful to me than my words can declare or a thousand years of life could repay. In Jesus holy name I give you all glory and praise. Amen.

And [an angel] carried me [John] away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
– Revelation 21:10 NIV

The Holy Spirit brings hope. There is the hope for current circumstances that the Spirit brings through his comforting and enabling presence. The Spirit also brings hope for the future through the promise of Scripture and God’s visions for us of greater things that lie ahead for us. In a time of unspeakable danger and fear when John had his vision, Jesus’ call to his disciples was to be faithful even to the point of death. In that situation, this vision given by the Spirit is one of victory and hope. The Spirit brings hope — not a wish for a better future, but the assurance that a glorious future awaits us.

Father of mercy, thank you for giving me the assurance that a victorious future awaits. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit as a gift, a down payment, guaranteeing that glorious future. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
– Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

God waited till history reached his appointed time and sent Jesus. Just the right time — Roman rule, Jewish subordination, good roads, freedom, a degree of safety, a common trading language, cruel and barbaric punishment accompanied by religious infighting. In times such as these, he sent his Son to be a woman’s son. He emptied his home so he could send a redeemer to our home. He did it so we could be his children — not pretend children, but real children, with full rights. So he could not only be God, but so he could be Father God. The rules of the kingdom of heaven are not for restriction and subjugation.  Father God manages His family well and the children of the house respect Him… rightfully so… His rules set us free.

Father, even your name is precious to me. I gasp at how much it cost you to let me call you Abba. I don’t understand such extravagant love, but I thank you for it. I know I don’t deserve to call you Father, but it sounds so right. Something inside resonates at the sound of Father God — Holy, Righteous, Almighty, Loving! While I know that I will never be a perfect child, I rest today in the confidence that I am your child and you claim me. Thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
– 2 Timothy 1:14 nlt

We are not left to guard the truth trusted to us on our own strength. We have the Holy Spirit who lives within us. The Spirit is our anointing to help us know the truth. The Spirit is our Advocate-Comforter-Counselor-Helper to lead us into all truth and help us know truth from error. The Spirit’s work within us allows us to understand the spiritual messages of God through the Biblical writers, and those who truthfully proclaim Jesus. So rather than relying on our insight, wisdom, intellect, and study alone, we are called to seek the Spirit as we open the Bible, listen to the word proclaimed, seek to apply God’s truth to our lives, and commit to guard the truth of God that has been deposited into our hearts.

Father God, please send your Spirit to be at work in my heart as I seek to live for you and reflect the character and compassion of Jesus, my Lord, in whose name I pray. Amen.

[Jesus said,] “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
– John 16:13 NLT

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in harmony as the one, true, living God. Jesus sends the Spirit to us when we become his true followers (Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit guides us into the truth about the will of God and about Jesus — the truth about both Jesus’ ministry while he was physically on earth and his subsequent ministry, including his ministry now. So let’s ask for the Spirit to guide us into all the truth about Jesus.

Almighty God, I address you as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. I am astounded at your majesty, greatness, and holiness. I ask now, O God, that the Holy Spirit guide me into all truth about Jesus and into wisdom, understanding, and conviction about the life you want me to live. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it the full.”
– John 10:7,9-10 (NIV)

Jesus came to the world to give us life. He didn’t come to bring us rules, or judgement, or fear, or work. Jesus came to give us life in its fullest form. While we know that this is promised to us when we go to be with him for all eternity, John wants us to clearly hear that Jesus’ promise to give us life begins right now! Not JUST life later, but also life NOW!

Almighty God, I confess that sometimes I play life too carefully, not risking failure and loss and not reaching for your opportunities and your concerns. Give me a heart that yearns to live life in all its fullness by seeking after your will, Jesus’ example and the Holy Spirit’s leading in my decisions today, and always. Through the name of Jesus I ask this to your glory. Amen.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
– Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

God is a speaking God. He loves us and has chosen to get his message to us in words. First there were the patriarchs and great prophets. Then there was the written record in the Scriptures. But God’s greatest message, his most powerful words, were not really words at all, but a person named Jesus of Nazareth, who is Christ and Lord of all. For us, his Church, to be what he wants us to be, we must not just look at Scripture, we must also look at him. He is the key to understanding what Scripture means and how it is to be lived. Our part in mission and ministry today is to continue to deliver the message with our actions and use words if we must to tell of the wonders of Jesus.

Holy Father, help me to see Jesus and his work and purpose more clearly as I open your Book and seek to understand your will. Fill me with your Spirit, so that I may greet each decision awakened to the answer to “What would Jesus do?” In the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior may my daily service and work be acceptable and worthy of my own calling. Amen.

Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
– Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

We are receiving the triumphant and glorious victory of God in his Kingdom. We will join with the angels and the saints of old and live with the Father forever in victorious and never ending joy. But this Kingdom doesn’t just begin when Jesus returns. This Kingdom has started now in his Church, his people, those in whom God’s will is cherished and obeyed. So our worship should be filled with awe that the holy God of Israel is also the lowly God in Jesus who has redeemed us and made us to be a holy people unto himself. What else can we do but worship with heartfelt thanksgiving and wonder struck awe.

Father God, all things are yours. Thank you for sharing your blessings, your promises, your hope, and your victory with us in Jesus. Please help me to live a more thankful, victorious life before my unbelieving friends and as an example to my children so they may come to share your glorious Kingdom and ultimate victory. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
– Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

God is a speaking God. He loves us and has chosen to get his message to us in words. First there were the patriarchs and great prophets. Then there was the written record in the Scriptures. But God’s greatest message, his most powerful words, were not really words at all, but a person named Jesus of Nazareth, who is Christ and Lord of all. For us, his Church, to be what he wants us to be, we must not just look at Scripture, we must also look at him. He is the key to understanding what Scripture means and how it is to be lived. Our part in mission and ministry today is to continue to deliver the message with our actions and use words if we must to tell of the wonders of Jesus.

Holy Father, help me to see Jesus and his work and purpose more clearly as I open your Book and seek to understand your will. Fill me with your Spirit, so that I may greet each decision awakened to the answer to “What would Jesus do?” In the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior may my daily service and work be acceptable and worthy of my own calling. Amen.