Good morning, good afternoon, good evening...wherever in the world you live! I hear you're a chocoholic too - I won't tell a soul! Chocolate is good for the body - and God's Word is good for the soul: "O taste and see that the Lord is good...(Psalm 34:8 KJV)." So please join me for a few moments of fun, food and inspiration - it's all calorie-free (believe that and I'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge) and might even make your day!

Bible Byte 'n Chocolate Chew for Today

"The Promise of Christmas"

Daily Manna's Bible reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 (NIV)

"Do not peek until Christmas!" So SAYS the note on the package...but do YOU remember shaking, rattling and rolling the mysterious Christmas packages under the tree--and MAYBE peeking 'cause you couldn't stand the suspense? One funny family memory: my sister's longtime heartthrob had given her a wrapped Christmas gift and the suspense was killing her....surely, it would be a sparkling diamond this year! Or WOULD it? She peeked; it was not! She carefully rewrapped the gift, pretended to be pleasantly surprised at the proper time, and YEARS later, confessed to her husband (yes, he finally DID pop the question!) of her mischevious misdemeanor! He's apparently forgiven her--they've recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary!

Now I LIKE suspense and surprises and as tempting as it may be, I would not DARE to peek....but I sure remember doing alot of shaking, rattling and rolling! Now whatever YOUR style of Christmas "peeking," did you know that it happened in the Bible? Yes, they "peeked" and looked ahead, through the prophetic enabling of the Holy Spirit, to the coming of the Messiah. There was Abraham and David, the prophets, and devout people throughout the ages who loved God, trusted Him and believed His promise. How wonderful that we can now look back and see what they could only see in faith. We've opened the package and the Gift is....."Wonderful, Counselor, the Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!"

It's hard to wait for a promise to come true--but when you believe the Promissor, you know without a doubt that it will come to pass. God is faithful--His Word and our testimonies prove it. So bypass the mall today - you've spent all your money already anyway - and come with me to the Well to meet the fulfilled Promise of Christmas, Jesus Christ Himself--on HIM, we can depend!

God's promises are timely!

God promised the people, through the prophets of old, a Messiah "in due time." They waited--and believed. Hundreds of years passed by and they still waited--and believed. And it happened - "in due time" a Virgin brought forth her first-born son and called His Name Jesus, Savior of the world. God keeps His promises.

God's promised you something personally "in due time." And you wait.....and wait.....and wait......will you believe? For if HE has promised it, it will happen "in due time." Remember, God keeps His promises--and He will keep His promise to you!

God's promises are trustworthy!

God promised Mary, through the prophetic words of the angel, "...thou shalt...bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father, David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:31-33)." Could God be trusted to keep His Word? Yes, a thousand times yes--Mary lived to see her Son, God's Son, become the Savior of the world, "King of the Jews," and King of her heart. We have yet to see His Kingdom fully come to earth, but His promise is trustworthy. Someday He will come again and rule and reign on this earth--God keeps His promises.

God's given you His Word and sometimes it's hard to hang on to His promise, isn't it! Did He really say it? Will He really do it? Yes, a thousand times, yes--He will perform what He has promised. You can place your life in His wonderful hands and know "he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (1 Timothy 1:12)." He's trustworthy--so hesitate not to crown Him King of your life this Christmas. Let Him be Lord now--and someday you will bow at His feet to acknowledge Him as Lord forever. He can be trusted--trust Him today!

God's promises are true!

God promised the Wise Men, through a star, that they would find Him--"for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem...out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people, Israel (Matthew 2:5,6)." They believed God's Word was true--and followed the star. Herod was afraid God's Word was true--and shook in his boots! In either event, God was in control. The star and the promise worked together to show Herod--and all of us--who REALLY is in charge. He does rule and will overrule--let that fact be known to all the Herods and hell-raisers of our world. God's Word is true!

God's given you His promise, and the arch-enemy of your soul would like to steal it from your heart. He'd like to prove it untrue, a false expectation, a senseless trust, a worthless word. Well, send him packing--quote God's Word in his face, for it is true. It will come to pass; Satan's efforts to thwart God's Word will not prevail. You are His Child and His promise to you is timely, trustworthy and true!

Believe it and have a great day. Have a Merry Christmas, and remember, shake, rattle and roll the packages all you'd like--just don't peek....or I'll tell!!

--Copyright 2008 by Peggie Bohanon, Springfield, MO.

--Bible readings: Courtesy of "Daily Manna," International Bible Society
--IBSDirect International Bible Society's bulk Bibles/resources at discount prices.

Humor and Inspiration for Your Day - a wonderful Christian site!
Skywriting.net - humor & inspiration . . . Skywriting.net - Christian Cartoons

Once Upon a World
Unique, original audio Bible stories and podcast for children.

Pray daily for our military! View "Remember Me" - YouTube, a patriotic video.

Need Him - a place for people of all ages to find Jesus! . . . Who Is Jesus? - International Bible Society

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Chocolate-Related Devotionals by Peggie!

Chocolate De-Light! . . . The Rat, the Cat--and the Chocolate!

Confessions of a Chocoholic--by Peggie!

So Where's the Fudge? . . . Where's the Chocolate!

Other devotionals by Peggie: See The Devotional Buffet.

(With thanks and apologies to my good friend and choco-buddy, Georgia,
from whom I crooked some of these wonderful graphics, courtesy of Cute Colors Graphics. Thanks!)

Graphics credit:

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A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my Christian views or yours. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner, you may smash it with a broom from my BROOM CLOSET--I hate offensive stuff too!