VITAL Life Application Devotions

Everyone who heard the shepherds talk about the birth of Jesus was filled with wonder. But Mary reacted differently, treasuring and pondering these things. The shepherds were not wrong to express joy or to react in such a visible way. But perhaps Mary had a sense that...

Some think of Jesus’ birth as a myth, just a story. But the Bible makes clear that it is true, a first-hand report from “eyewitnesses.” The Greek word, used here for the only time in the Bible, means seeing with our own eyes. Often used in medicine, it was a word...

For many people, the weeks before Christmas are a season of frantic activity—shopping, planning, parties, special events, concerts, rehearsals, dinners, services, and visits from friends and family both near and far. Then, with the passing of Christmas, many are hit...

The Bible tells us that God does not reveal everything about situations we face, other people, ourselves, or world events. Yes, He keeps some things secret. Sometimes He reveals things a little bit at a time. In contrast, some things are revealed to us. In his...

Some people think that turning to God is a kind of magic formula. They think there are no consequences for their actions and that everything will work out the way they want when they want. Jeremiah was confronted with people who felt this way. They expected immediate...

Genesis 2:18-24 New International Version (NIV) 18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them...

Genesis 2:21-23 New International Version (NIV) 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken...