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J a nua r y 7Show and TellWorthy is the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:12, NKJV).Scripture: Revelation 5:11-14Song: “The Wonderful Cross”The most frequent advice given to writers is: Show, don’t tell.In some respects, the Gospels follow this approach. Jesus is shownthroughout His ministry, teaching, healing, feeding multitudes, andperforming all manner of miracles. We see His power and grace andlove in action; we hear His insight and wisdom.Then there are His death, burial, and resurrection. The truth ofit isn’t merely shown; it is told and foretold. Old Testament prophecies suddenly become clear. Paul, Peter, James, and John writeletters and make converts, establishing church doctrine by tellingthe meaning of the cross. Paul says, “I determined not to knowanything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2, NKJV).On the cross, Jesus was punished for our sins, making us righteous before a holy God. He took away our diseases, delivered usfrom evil, gave us abundant life. No movie on earth could actually“show” those miracles that happened on the cross, but Scriptureclearly reveals them. Even as He hung on the cross, suffering forour sins, He was providing blessing after blessing to all who wouldtrust in Him and believe. What has been shown to us is clearlysomething for us to show others—in our deeds and in our words.Father, I want to worship You as You deserve. May I daily grow more aware of Yourgoodness, grace, and compassion. Help me to rejoice daily in the victory of the crosson my behalf. How thankful I am in this moment! In the name of Jesus, amen.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 22/16 2:

rossJanuar y 8Lessons from NatureOh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all theearth (Psalm 96:1, NKJV).Scripture: Psalm 96:1-6, 10-13Song: “This Is My Father’s World”Outside the window of my office is a layered hill, barren now in winter, the remnant of autumn leaves covered inmud. But in the summer, my view is blocked by intense foliage, theovergrown trees and lush green of the Pacific Northwest.When I should be productive, I sit instead with binoculars, tryingto identify the birds that visit. I watch late in the fall for the returnof the thrushes in their Halloween colors of orange and black, andin the summer for the spotted towhee and lovely red-breasted robins. They all have their own unique songs to sing, as well.Why was there a need for such intricate color combinations, fordistinct warbles and whistles? Why do some tiny birds have eyesringed in white and come arrayed in such amazing patterns andcolor combinations? Why was there a need for such exquisite individuality, as though each was crafted with care by a great artist?Is it not sad that we often miss the glories of our Creator’s creation? We even seem to ignore our fellow humans. And yet: “Whatis man that You are mindful of him? . . . You have crowned himwith glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands”(Hebrews 2:6, 7, NKJV).O Lord, when I look out across Your wondrous creation, may I see Your might andpower, Your goodness and mercy. And let my heart sing! Through Christ, amen.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 96/22/16 2:

J a nua r y 9He Loves a CelebrationBe joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters,your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns(Deuteronomy 16:14).Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:13-15Song: “I Will Celebrate”I recently spent six weeks in a small mountain-resort townwhere it snows 6 months out of 12. During two weeks of my stay,the town celebrated Winter Carnival, their 50th one! Parades,fireworks, ice sculptures, ski races, hockey games, and more werescheduled back-to-back for 14 days.There’s a lot of nightlife attached to the festival too. Concertsand dance parties last well into the wee hours, and heavy drinkingaccompanies it all. For a few who move from true celebration into adecadent party spirit, there are arrests and incidents that eventuallyremove the joy for them.God instituted celebration. The Festival of Tabernacles was atime for God’s people to rejoice after the bounty of harvest hadbeen stored away. Thus God received the glory for His goodness toHis people. The fact is, God loves true celebration when His children rejoice in creation and in their relationship with the Creator.So let us rejoice daily. Come, celebrate God’s goodness!Dear Lord, I desire to enter into joyful celebration of all Your good works. I receiveYour provision for my life. I rejoice in You. Through Christ, amen.January 9–15. Jan Pierce is a retired teacher and freelance writer. She and her husband are thefounders of Teams India, a ministry to support Christian work in India.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd mHeYou6/22/16 2:

Januar y 10He’s Ready to Forgivers,gnnswnay,es,erertsngoallys aadtohilor.eivetheWhen we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave ourtransgressions (Psalm 65:3).Scripture: Psalm 65:3, 4Song: “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”The gospel message is quite simple: The Lord stands ready toforgive our sins. We need only to repent, call on His name, andreceive His forgiveness.What a relief! But isn’t it hard to recognize our own sins? Somehow our own behavior slips beneath the radar as we diligently focus on the behavior of others. But soon the weight of guilt comescrashing down on our shoulders.I taught first grade for many years, and I observed that 6- and7-year-olds are blissfully ready to hang their friends by their thumbsfor their transgressions. Billy cutting in line? Take his recesses fora week! But when caught in their own shortcomings, they, withtotally straight faces, recommend leniency. Yes, it’s funny—evenendearing. But in their innocence little children mirror our adulttendency to let ourselves off the hook.Our sin matters, though. Our words and actions have a profoundeffect on those around us. That’s why our choices and decisionsmust be evaluated in light of God’s standards. And guess what?When we look at them honestly, we’ll once again be overwhelmedby our need of a Savior. Bearing the weight of our sins is hard,heartbreaking work. The good news? Father God is waiting for us,arms wide open, ready to forgive.Heavenly Father, shine Your light on the darkness in my life so I can come beforeYou humbly to receive forgiveness. You alone are good. In Jesus’ name, amen.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 116/22/16 2:

J a nua r y 11Outdoor MedicineThe whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; wheremorning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs ofjoy (Psalm 65:8).yoeaScripture: Psalm 65:5-8Song: “For the Beauty of the Earth”ScSoTime spent outdoors is so good for the soul. Hiking, bird-watching, gardening, strolls on a beach . . . all immerse us in the soullifting glories of God’s creation.David, the shepherd boy, spent countless hours outside watching over the sheep. David loved God, believed in His goodness,and saw His handiwork in all creation. David spent time in thatcreation, soaking in the beauty of skies and landscapes. He spentoutdoor time where God is the Creator and less time indoors withman’s handiwork. Isn’t that why he overflowed with songs of praiseto the Lord?Romans 1:20 tells us that merely observing creation should giveus insight into the goodness of God. His power and His divinity arestrikingly apparent in nature. If we say we can’t find God, we haveno excuse—because the intricacies and majesty of creation cry outHis name.Take a look out your window. What do you see? The skies, thetrees, the mountains, or maybe the sea? Do you catch a glimpse of abird flitting by? The brilliant colors of flowers? Every bit of creationwas made by our loving, creative Father.O God, today I’ll take a dose of outdoor medicine. And I will join all the universe inpraising You who made it all. I praise You for the beauty all around me, and I thankYou for the endless wonders within all of us made in Your image. In Christ, amen.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 2/16 2:

reofchul-chss,hatentithiseveareveoutheof aone inank.Januar y 12A Glimpse of the Greatest LoveSay to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great isyour power that your enemies cringe before you. All theearth bows down to you” (Psalm 66:3, 4).Scripture: Psalm 66:1-5Song: “Jesus Paid It All”My father served as a medic during the four years of World WarII, assisting in surgeries and caring for the injured near combatzones. He witnessed the death of his best friend and received thePurple Heart for moving into a firefight to pull two injured men tosafety. On the long trip home by ship at the end of the war, he caredfor shell-shocked victims—those so traumatized by the horror ofbattle that they lost their ability to cope. My father was a hero whorisked his own safety to save others.Dad’s service came with a cost, though. He was a quiet man,rarely sharing his feelings. But I saw him cry when he spoke of thewar; his heart was broken by what he’d seen.We love heroes because they demonstrate selflessness. They mirror the ultimate sacrifice ever given when God gave up the life ofHis Son to take the punishment for the sins of mankind. What better way to express love than by rescuing others—enduring theirpain, their suffering?We may never fully understand the cost to our heavenly Fatherin sending Jesus. But when you next read the story of a militaryhero, remember God’s sacrifice too. He gave His best to restoreour lives.Thank You, Dear Lord, for Your gift of life. My freedom and my place in Your kingdomcame at a great price. I’m forever grateful. Through my Lord Jesus, amen.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 136/22/16 2:

J a nua r y 13From All the NationsThey will bring all your people, from all the nations, tomy holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord(Isaiah 66:20).Scripture: Isaiah 66:18-23Song: “There Is Nothing Too Good to Be True”JesScSoMy husband and I travel to India and support Christian ministries there. It is exciting and humbling to hear the stories of thosewho once lived in fear of their gods but now trust Jesus. Many ofthese converts enjoy revealing the Bible verses that most affectedtheir decision. Quite often a key passage is Matthew 18:12-14, inwhich Jesus is portrayed as leaving the 99 sheep in search of asingle lost lamb. How powerful is the love of God, who cares forone tiny stray!Another passage of Scripture that grateful converts share is Psalm23, which shows the Good Shepherd caring for the “lamb’s” everyneed. New Christians are openly baptized, joyous in their new faith,even though their public proclamation may be dangerous.In India, conversion from one belief to another can be verycostly. Those who find Jesus often leave friends and families behindand suffer accusations of “breaking caste,” a form of betrayal. Theyknow they may be beaten or even killed for their new faith. Yetthose who take the good news of salvation to distant lands will reapa harvest, and the believers will be as an offering before God theFather. How beautiful!OrfroanMiGood Shepherd, thank You for Your love and gentle care. As I look forward to theday I’ll see You face-to-face, please continue to sustain and protect all those who areentering the waters of baptism across the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.DeThamo7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 14leaAuanwiPefelsiobebeplego6/22/16 2:

Januar y 14Benefits of a Clean Hearttordnisoseofedinf aforlmeryth,eryndheyYetaphetheareRepent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name ofJesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38).Scripture: Acts 2:37-47Song: “Thou Christ of Burning, Cleansing Flame”An hour’s drive from my home sits the quaint town of Aurora,Oregon, the site of a utopian Christian commune that flourishedfrom 1856 to 1883. At its peak, it boasted 600 people, Germanand Swiss immigrant families who traveled the Oregon Trail fromMissouri.The Aurora colony was a success, though it lasted only until itsleader, Wilhelm Keil, passed away. The 54 families who populatedAurora loved God; they worked hard to produce crops, furniture,and textiles and were hospitalble.When Peter preached to the people, their hearts were strickenwith remorse at killing the Lord. “What can we do?” they cried.Peter’s response was stark and simple: repent.And look at the fruit of that repentance: devotion to teaching,fellowship, common meals and prayer, sharing of earthly possessions, joyful hearts, and praise to God. Who wouldn’t want such abeautiful lifestyle?While harmonious Christian fellowship is available today, it canbe elusive. Sin and selfishness can creep in and cause havoc. Peterpleaded with the people to save themselves from such things. It isgood advice for us as well.Dear Heavenly Father, You offer me a beautiful, rich life in Your family, the church.Thank You for the bounty You place before me. Help me to live in peace and harmony with my fellow believers. Through Christ I pray. Amen.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 156/22/16 2:

J a nua r y 15Want or Plenty?You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance (Psalm 65:11).theScripture: Psalm 65:1, 2, 9-13Song: “O the Riches of My Savior”ScSoBecause I travel to India and witness abject poverty firsthand, Ioften marvel that so many Americans live below the poverty level.Here in the U.S., one of the richest nations in the world, hugenumbers of families live with hunger, inadequate health care, pooreducation, and a culture of “not enough.” How can that be?In The Glass Castle, a beautifully written memoir, Jeannette Walls chronicles her life as one of four children painfullyneglected, growing up with an alcoholic dreamer father and a selfish, mentally ill mother. The children were so severely neglectedthat it was a miracle they clung together. Yet late in the story, Jeannette’s mother reveals that she owns a piece of land worth nearlya million dollars. All the years of hunger and want were totallyunnecessary.Sometimes our lives mimic that sad narrative. We live in God’skingdom and have available a life of spiritual abundance. We havemore than enough, yet we live as if we’re dirt poor.And in the natural realm, what can we do to meet the needs ofthe poor around us? Can we give, share our knowledge, and loveeven better? Can we give a cup of cold water to those in need?Lord, thank You for abundant life. Give me eyes to see the needs of those aroundme. Soften my heart to embrace a life of generosity. Through Jesus, amen.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 16gloI trthiwaantivit agivnodabawiimanAlmOpto sYouJanyea6/22/16 2:

er-d, Iel.ugeooranllyelfedanrlyllyd’sveofveundJanuar y 16Judgment and PromiseYou covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;the waters stood above the mountains (Psalm 104:6).Scripture: Psalm 104:5-9Song: “Cleanse Me”Have you ever tried to give a bath to a cat? With thick rubbergloves on his hands, my husband held our struggling feline whileI tried to pour on water and shampoo, scrub, and rinse. The poorthing needed cleaning, but he didn’t want anything to do withwater, thank you very much! He gwrabbed the faucet and clawedand wiggled to free himself, but we finally accomplished our objective. After he’d dried off, he strutted around clean.God covered the world with water to cleanse it from sin and giveit a fresh start. When we bathed our cat, it was also to cleanse andgive a fresh start. But oh, how he fought us!And didn’t many of us do that? Not seeing the depth of our sin,not eager to be cleansed, giving up the dirt of our lives seemeddaunting. But when we did, when we fully submitted to our Lord inbaptism, we knew that we had been cleansed and were “like new”with a fresh start. I’m thankful God chose such an overwhelmingimmersion, both physically and emotionally, so we could look backand identify the moment He washed us.Almighty and Everlasting God, please forgive me when I can’t see the sin in my life.Open my eyes to my selfishness and shortcomings, and instill a desire in my heartto submit to Your will. I know You always have my best in mind, and I want to pleaseYou in my words and actions. In the name of Christ I pray. Amen.January 16–22. Janet Mountjoy and her husband are retired after ministering with churches for 35years in Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota, Florida, and Missouri.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 176/22/16 2:

J a nua r y 17Act of God—Naturally!He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; theland is satisfied by the fruit of his work (Psalm 104:13).knScripture: Psalm 104:10-18Song: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”Our son-in-law drove into about six inches of water covering afamiliar street, not seeing that the manhole cover had been pushedaway amid the torrent. Driving into the open manhole caused a lotof damage to his car, but the insurance company wouldn’t coverit. Why? You may have guessed it: an “act of God” had caused thedownpour.Have you ever noticed how bad things are called acts of God,while good things almost never are? We live in an age that thriveson news of the tragic and the terrifying, yet overlooks the goodand the beautiful around us. Why is that? Are we so confident inourselves that we must blame God when something is out of ourcontrol?Why can’t the world see and acknowledge that a newborn babyis an act of God? That a young couple falling in love or a healedmarriage are acts of God? Why is it so hard to acknowledge thateverything growing around us, feeding us, shading us, and blessingus with beauty is an act of God? Even in our son-in-law’s accident,he was not hurt, although he could have been seriously injured.And we could see God’s protective hand in his life. Now that wasan act of God!Lord, I ask You to act on my behalf, yet I often miss seeing how many times You do,indeed, intervene. Please open my eyes to Your loving touch today, and help mefreely offer the praise You deserve. In Christ’s name, amen.7-Devo-Body-Jan 2017-DMbk.indd 18wobudaT

passages with practical devotional thoughts that will inspire you and encourage personal growth in Christ. DEVOTIONS 365 DEVOTIONS 3 6 5 DEVOTIONS 365 A Standard Resource Printed in USA US 7.99 RELIGION Christian Life Devotional ISBN 978-0-7814-1542