“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star!”
~Jesus, Revelation 22:16
God had made a promise to King David, it was a continuation of the promise He had made to Adam and Abram. One day in a time of His choosing God would bless the world through the family of David. Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: The Family of David”
Then Rahab let the spies down by a rope through the window. (Her house was built as part of the city wall; she lived in the wall.) She told them, “Head to the hill country, so the ones chasing you don’t find you. Hide from them there for three days, long enough for those chasing you to return. Then you can be on your way.” The men said to her, “We are not bound by this oath you made us swear unless the following conditions are met: When we invade the land, tie this red rope in the window through which you let us down, and gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and all who live in your father’s house. Anyone who leaves your house will be responsible for his own death – we are innocent in that case! But if anyone with you in the house is harmed, we will be responsible. If you should report what we’ve been up to, we are not bound by this oath you made us swear.” She said, “I agree to these conditions.” She sent them on their way and then tied the red rope in the window.
~Rahab and two spies, Joshua 2:15-21
Rahab did not live a life that was pleasing to God. She ran a business that exploited other people, but she did fear God. The story of this unlikely hero provides an excellent picture of our situation and God’s Christmas gift to Continue reading “Christmas Devotion: Rahab’s Crimson Cord”
The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all the wild beasts and all the living creatures of the field! On your belly you will crawl and dust you will eat all the days of your life. And I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; her offspring will crush your head, and you will attack her offspring’s heel.”
~God, Genesis 3:14-15
The very first Christmas promise in the Bible is found in the sober description of the consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. The promise is that Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: The Promise”
“Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it.” So the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman replied, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”
~God, Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:11-13
The original family was once united. Adam and Eve were unashamed and uninhibited in their love for one another and in their love for God. For a time all was good in the garden of Eden, the original family enjoyed the creation of God and his very presence on a daily basis. They were living the Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: The Fall”
Hello Friends,
We, the Downing family formally invite you and your family to journey along side us this year as we ready our hearts for Christmas. Beginning on November 25th and ending on Christmas Day our podcast will be updated daily with a Christmas devotion. You will be able to find a written version of each devotion here on our website. After Christmas we will return to our weekly short shareable thought provoking missions focused content.
If you have already subscribed to Our mission path podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google, Radio Public, Spotify, Breaker, or Pocket Cast you will receive a new Christmas Devotion automatically each day beginning on November 25th until we celebrate Christmas Day. If you haven’t already subscribed to our podcast we invite you to do so now by clicking on your favorite podcast outlet above. When you subscribe please give us an early Christmas present by sharing our podcast with a friend who you know will benefit from our content. We are growing through your word of mouth!
We look forward to traveling our mission path with you this Christmas!
with much love, 
Timothy, Angelita, Tim, Esperanza, Ezequiel, Elias, and Adelena
Missionary zeal does not grow out of intellectual beliefs, nor out of theological arguments, but out of love.
-Roland Allen
The Apostle John was known as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” His Gospel account has been called the Gospel of love. In his first epistle John even writes the bold theological statement “God is love.” There is perhaps no better witness for the Christian faith than a life lived in the grip of Divine love. Nothing can motivate our commitment to the Great Commandment better than love. Wherever our steps lead us, to our neighbor’s yard or to jungles far away when our steps are measured and motivated by love they have the best effect.
May we be a people known for our love. May we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength resulting in holiness. May we love our neighbors as ourselves resulting in their eternal benefit. Love God, love others and live accordingly!
With much love,
Unless I am sure I am doing more at home to send the gospel abroad than I can do abroad, I am bound to go.
-A. B. Simpson
In Matthew’s rendering of the Great Commission Jesus puts legs on the Great Commandment. Love of God and love of our neighbor demands that we are in perpetual motion. To that end Jesus says go. Go is such a simple command and yet it is often misunderstood or worse ignored. Greek, the original language of the New Testament sheds some light on our call to go. The participle “go” is followed by the aorist imperative “make disciples” which linguistically means that “go” becomes part of the imperative. Consider the words of Daniel B. Wallace, professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that grammar is inconsequential! Matthew’s grammar paints a picture and urges an action, and we seriously err if we neglect what our Lord is really teaching at the end of this Gospel.”
In light of the Scripture, may the measure of our calling reflect the wisdom found in A. B. Simpson’s words. May we weigh our responsibility to the Great Commission in terms of effectiveness.
