Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
MIRACLES IN 2025
Advent Series- 22
Wise Men Seek the Lord
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. Mat 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Following the appearance of the angels to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus, another event happened. Something marvelous and unexpected took place which took the message of the prophecy of the birth of the Jewish Messiah beyond the realm of thinking in that day. It fulfilled a promise to Abraham that had been made nearly 2000 years before. When God made His promise to Abraham in Genesis 12, He stated that the blessing would be to all the earth. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Gen 12:2-3).
The wise men, who were sometimes called kings, came from foreign Gentile nations. Salvation, that was announced to the shepherds, was also made available to the rest of the world. How was it possible that those nations far removed from Israel could have the understanding of a coming Savior? The answer is found in the writings of Daniel. When the Jews were carried captive to the land of Babylon in 605 BC, Daniel and his three friends were among the group. Daniel was used of God to influence the ruling leadership of that part of the world for over seventy years. It was during this time that Daniel wrote of God’s promise. Through the dreams which were then interpreted, the future of Israel and a coming Messiah was revealed. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times (Daniel 9:24-25).
With this information, the wise men were able to discover the time of the coming Messiah. So when they saw the Christmas star, they knew they were correct and made their journey to find the promised Savior.
These men were wise because they understood that they needed a Redeemer who could save them from their sin. Men and women today still need a Savior, and they are wise if they seek Him. Pray that during this Christmas season, many will seek the Savior and accept Him!
Bible Reading for the Year
December 22nd, 1 John 1-3
Prayer Needs
Please pray for Bill Jones who collapsed at home and is in the hospital for tests. He has weakness on his right side, but his speech is getting better.He is having a swallow test Tuesday. Pray for good results!!
Please continue to pray for Linda Franks. She saw the surgeon on Tuesday, December 16th, for a consultation. He recommended strengthening her esophagus for the next 3 months and then another endoscopy.
Please continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She completes the 17th of the 28 radiation treatments today. So far, she is tolerating them pretty well. Please pray for the tumor to shrink.
Please continue to pray for Beth Buchta. She had a hip replacement, on November 25th. She saw her orthopedic doctor, and he explained she really had a hip revision which is more serious and will take much rest and recuperation time. She is having trouble sleeping because of coughing and congestion.
Please continue praying for Tim Teboe who was in the hospital undergoing tests for heart problems. He had a heart catheterization with a stent. He is now home recuperating.
Please pray for Dr. Joe Jordan. He had another ablation on his back yesterday and is home. Pray for the pain to subside.
Please pray for Jackie Whitehurst’s sister Peggy in the passing of her husband, Lee Roy Elks.
Praise the Lord for Anderson and Meredith Womble, friends of Donna Dixion. Things are going well with the pregnancy. Pray for a healthy birth. Thank you for praying!!!
Please pray for Jackson Broome as he goes to Duke to discuss a new treatment plan.
Please pray for Marvin Silverthorne. He will see his eye doctor on January 20th.
Please continue to pray for Phil Corey. Pray for his continual dialysis treatments.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia