25 Days of Christmas PromisesSample

The Promise of Purpose

The Temptation of Jesus
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:

He will give his angels orders concerning you,
and they will support you with their hands
so that you will not strike
your foot against a stone.”

Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.

Ministry in Galilee
When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
along the road by the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles.
The people who live in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those living in the land of the shadow of death,
a light has dawned.

From then on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

The First Disciples
As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee, their father, preparing their nets, and he called them. Immediately, they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:1-22 CSB)

Observe – Who is God? What are you learning about God’s character from His promises?

Reflect – Where is God? How is He moving during this busy season?

Respond – Pray, confess, and give thanks. How will today’s promise from God make your Christmas richer?