Your Last Day (II Peter 3:9)

II Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Have you ever thought about your last day on earth? There will come a day when you wake up for the last time, or go to sleep for the last time. There will come a day when you eat your last meal, hug your child for the last time, or kiss your spouse for the last time. There is coming a day when you make your last phone call, watch your last movie, or send your last text. There will be a day when sing your last song, pray your last prayer, and speak your last words. Statistics indicate that 1.8 people die every second which equals 108 people per minute, which equals 6,480 per hour, which equals 155,520 per day, which equals 1,088,640 per week, which equals over 56,000,000 per year; every single one of them will have a last day on earth.

A calendar is something we all use to keep tract of important dates; plans we have and help us to manage our time. One thing that is very important that we understand is that God has His own calendar, and everything will be fulfilled on His calendar in His time. God has no sense of obligation for my calendar as His fulfills His perfect plan and mine only my personal desires. Unfortunately, my personal desires are not always in the perfect will of God, so they cannot be counted on as 100% accurate. God is not impressed with my calendar, and He never worries about its fulfilment. What He is looking for is Christians who will trust Him and walk by faith. It is important that we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and the Scriptures and never vary from that.

1. God's Promise
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;”
The word slack means to "hesitate, linger, delay”. It carries the idea of loitering or loafing. God is not unfaithful concerning His promises. God keeps all His promises. God will fulfill His promise, it is a guarantee. He is not loafing around with nothing to do. Some of the scoffers apparently were saying the delay in Christ’s return was evidence that God made a promise He can’t keep. Peter rebutted by suggesting that instead of the delay being evidence of God’s unfaithfulness, it’s evidence of His mercy.

2. God's Patience
“…but is longsuffering to us-ward…”
Longsuffering means to suffer long. In contrast to God’s being slow to keep His promise, Peter asserted that He’s actually “patient with you”. However, God’s patience isn’t without redemptive motive. We see that God has great patience and is longsuffering. He is patient. God loves and cares for us despite our sin, rebellion, and rejection. This is the very reason He sent Christ to save us. He loves and cares for us, He’s “not willing that any perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

3. God’s Purpose
“…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
To perish means to be utterly lost, to be spiritually destitute, and destroyed; to be in a state of suffering forever and ever apart from God. It means to lose eternal life and to be cut off from life forever and ever. It means to suffer the judgment, condemnation, and punishment of separation from God forever and ever. God's desire is to save all. The text makes it clear that Jesus wants everyone to be saved and that He wants no one to go to hell. Sinners do not deserve time to repent. But God is "not willing that any should perish", so He extends patience to the perishing.

Today is the last day of 2025. 2025 is soon to be ousted while 2026 is appointed. There will be celebrations all around the world. Beneath all the hype, there is an important lesson that we can learn. Think for a minute. What if this really was your last day? Not of the month; not of the year. What if this was the last day of your life? Each day for Christ ought to be lived as if it were our last.

Jesus has told us that He will come as a "thief in the night". We might know the season, but we do not know the exact day. It could be tomorrow at the dawn of a brand-new year, or it could be years from now. The time that Jesus comes isn't as important though, as the condition of our hearts when He comes. Many Christians aren't at all ready for the Rapture to take place. They have too many loose ends to tie up. They're waiting to serve God at a later date. Sadly, they will live away from God their whole life. Others, who haven't trusted Christ as their Saviour, are putting off their decision. Sadly, these people will be left behind.

The Bible calls death an “appointment”. It is appointed unto men once to die. Perhaps we all have had appointments that we have missed or forgotten. This appointment cannot be postponed, rescheduled, or cancelled. And life does not end after death. As a matter of fact, the writer of Hebrews said that “judgment” occurs after death is realized. We must all stand before our Creator to give an account for our lives. If death is certain and judgment is inevitable, we would do ourselves well to be ready for our last day on earth. The only way to ensure that you will finish right is to be right with God right now! Get ready today for your last day on earth.

God will fulfill His promise literally as He has said, it is a guarantee. This truth has been greatly attacked and mocked in our day, but that will not keep it from happening exactly as the Bible teaches. We see that God has great patience and is longsuffering. It conveys the idea of being patient in bearing the offences and injuries of others. It is wonderful to know how patient God is with us and how much He loves us. Jesus took every opportunity to speak to people one on one and also to great multitudes so that they might hear the truth. We need to have the same heartbeat for people as we seek to get the Gospel to everyone that we know. We also need to be involved through our local church to reach as many people as possible. The time is short, and we must make an all-out effort to reach people with the Gospel message before it is too late.

Points to Ponder:
God is longsuffering, but there is a limit to His patience.
There will come a time in your life when it’s too late.
Don’t test God’s patience.

Question to Consider:
I ask you these questions today:
What if this were your last day?
Would you be ready?
How would you want to be remembered?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, my heart is stirred today to pray for my unsaved friends, family, and acquaintances. The Bible has long foretold that a day of judgment is coming, but I’ve never thought about it so deeply as I’ve thought about it today. Father, I want to be open and available for You to use me to share the witness of Jesus with those who are unsaved. I pray this in Jesus’ name!

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Ending Well…Finishing Strong in the Faith (II Timothy 4:6-8)

II Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

On October 20, 1968, a half hour after sunset and more than an hour after the winner crossed the finish line, John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania completed the Olympic marathon in Mexico City. He staggered into the stadium on a badly injured leg. When he finally finished the race, the remaining spectators erupted with praise and applause. When Akhwari was interviewed he was asked, “Why did you do this? You were in such pain, and you couldn't win.” The exhausted athlete replied, “I don't think you understand. My country did not send me five thousand miles to start the race. They sent me five thousand miles to finish the race.” Because of the high altitude, that year's marathon was especially grueling. Nearly a quarter of the runners failed to complete the marathon. But Akhwari kept his eye on his purpose, and though he finished in 75th place, he did finish.

Paul did not have a great start in Scripture. He came upon the scene as a zealot whose ministerial ambition was to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. However, upon his conversion, he became the chief advocate of the very church he once sought to destroy. In the closing chapter of his life, he wrote in II Timothy 4:6-7, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” Paul had an awful start, but a great finish.

In those closing remarks, Paul mentioned a man by the name of Demas. Demas was a co-laborer of Paul in the work of the Lord. Demas had a great start, but a lousy finish. He started out strong in the Lord but failed to stay on course. Demas is mentioned at the end of the letters in Philemon and in Colossians. He served in an important, strategic, and distinguished role. But in Paul’s final letter, he mentions in II Timothy 4:10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.” Under the threat of persecution and the daily pressure of caring for all the churches (II Corinthians 11:28), Demas abandoned his calling. Somewhere in the journey, Demas became mesmerized and distracted by the world around him. He took his eyes off the eternal and placed them on the temporal. As a result, he will forever be remembered as a man who finished poorly. Consistency is the key to crossing the finish line in good standing with God.

There is a very real danger that someone who has lived and served Christ faithfully for most of his life might grow lazy, careless, fatigued, or lukewarm in the faith, and therefore stumble to the finish. We all know of gifted servants of Christ who have fallen into shocking and disqualifying sins, discrediting their testimonies, dishonoring Christ, and destroying their ability to finish well. One decision leads to another, and to another, and so on. If we are not careful, we end up where we never intended, whether it’s by fussing, feuding, fighting, selfishly starving our own souls, or by hindering helpers in the ministry. Living the Christian life faithfully is no more trouble-free the closer we get to the Tribulation Period. Sanctification doesn’t come any more easily with this present digital, high-speed, AI age. The concentration and quantity of fiery darts in Satan’s quiver does not diminish near the Rapture. The obstacles we face that obstruct our path are not easy to overcome as we are near the finish line.

Paul had reached the end of his earthly life, and it was an eternally triumphant conclusion. He was standing on the summit of loyalty to his Lord, and he was bloody but unbowed. There is no higher kind of triumph for any Christian. Scripture and church history are full of tragic examples of men who showed great promise but didn’t finish well. There will always be reasons to quit. Injuries, whether physical or emotional, will come. At times, we may feel fatigued and unable to go on. Voices may tell us it isn’t worth the effort. But God has not called us merely to begin; He has called us to finish. Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” This kind of perseverance brings glory to God and ensures we complete the course He has marked out for us.

Let me encourage you to not be discouraged by your past 51 weeks. Regardless of what you have done or not done over the past 51 weeks, today is an opportunity to finish strong for the Lord. Someone else near you needs it as well. God calls us not just to run for Him, but to finish the race well.

Questions to Consider:

• Have you struggled making church a priority over the past year?
• Have the pressures of your world tended to crush your spirit?
• Would you identify with those who have struggled worshiping with anticipation?
• Have you began using Sundays as a day to think about yourself and not consider God and others?
• Based on your track record this year, how would you finish?

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to fight the good fight triumphantly. It is my desire to one day finish the course victoriously, and to keep the faith with unwavering devotion. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

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​Strength in Weakness (II Corinthians 12:9-10)

II Corinthians 12:9-10, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

It was 1970, and the New Orleans Saints were trailing the Detroit Lions by one point with just seconds remaining in the 4th qtr. Place-kicker Tom Dempsey took the field to attempt the longest field goal in NFL history. The crowd cheered passionately as Dempsey not only set an NFL record, but edged out the Detroit Lions to win the game 19-17. What you may not know is that Dempsey had no toes. Dempsey was born without any fingers or toes on his right side. When asked if he had an unfair advantage in kicking the game-winning goal, he replied, “Unfair eh? Why don’t you try kicking a 63-yard field goal to win it with 2 seconds left while wearing a square shoe; oh, yeah and no toes either.” Some would contend that Dempsey’s handicap was actually his greatest strength. I believe God would agree. Dempsey, like all of us, was created uniquely by God. Every imperfection, disability, weakness, and handicap we may have is ultimately designed for the glory of God. Many of us buy the lie that God can only use the strong and powerful. Ironically, it is through weakness that the strength of God is made perfect. So whether you are a toeless place-kicker or a short-statured preacher, give God the glory He deserves through your weakness –it just might be your biggest strength.

In one of the most remarkable portions of Scripture, Paul revealed a wonderful promise. God’s grace is sufficient for whatever our need may be. The concept of grace is more than just unmerited favor regarding salvation. It also is that ongoing strength and help of God throughout the course of the Christian life. Whatever the need or crisis may be, His grace is more than sufficient for it. Moreover, God told Paul that His strength is perfected through weakness in us.

Two lessons lay just beneath the surface.
(1) God does not always answer our prayer as we hope. At times, He says “no”.
(2) It is not always God’s will for us to be healthy. It clearly was God’s will for Paul to be so afflicted.

Therefore, Paul confessed, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. If it meant infirmity for the power of Christ to be perfected in him, Paul gladly therefore would glory in that weakness. Through it came the power of God. A lesson is thus made clear how that God uses difficulties in our lives to further groom us and make us useful for His service. The power of God often comes at a price.

II Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake.” The word translated as take pleasure (eudokew eudokeo), among other things, can have the sense to “choose” or “prefer”. The greater thought is that he was more than willingly to endure the list of hardships below.

He lists five types of adversities he had faced in serving Christ.
(1) infirmities - translated from the word (asyeneia) astheneia. The word has the sense of “weakness from injury or sickness”.
(2) reproaches - which is translated from the word (ubriv) hubris. As the English word derived therefrom, it has the sense of “impudence, pride, or haughtiness”. Here it has the sense of a wrong springing from insolence, an injury, affront, or insult. Paul surely had these throughout his ministry.
(3) necessities - translated from the word (anagkh) anagke. It has the sense here of “deprivation or distress”.
(4) persecutions - translated from the word (diwgmov) diogmos with that precise sense.
(5) distresses - translated from (stenocwria) stenochoria which has the thought of “dire straits or great difficulties”. All of this and more, Paul was quite willing to endure for Christ’s sake.

Here is why. “For when I am weak, then am I strong.” When he could rely on no one or anything else other than Jesus Christ, there was great power available to him. Incidentally, the word translated as strong (dunatov dunatos) can also be rendered as “power”. When through trouble and distress he no longer had his own strength, the power of Christ took over. Hence, when he was weak, he rather was strong. His strength to continue came from on high.

We live in a culture that celebrates strength, independence, and self-reliance. Social media feeds are filled with success stories of "self-made” and “self-reliant" individuals who seemingly conquered every obstacle through absolute determination. While there's nothing wrong with hard work and perseverance, this mindset can leave us feeling inadequate when we face our own limitations and struggles. Consider how this plays out in our daily lives. Perhaps you struggle with anxiety, and it drives you to deeper prayer and dependence on God. Maybe a physical limitation has taught you compassion for others facing similar challenges. Your financial struggles might have shown you the faithfulness of God's provision in unexpected ways.

When we acknowledge our weaknesses, we create space for God's strength to shine. Pride builds walls that keep God's power at a distance, but humility opens the door wide. Our vulnerabilities become the very places where Christ's power finds its home. Rather, we should acknowledge and accept our human limitations as opportunities for divine intervention. When we stop pretending to have it all together, we discover that God's grace truly is sufficient for every situation we face.

Questions to Consider:
What if your greatest limitation became the stage for His greatest display of power in your life?
Do you know someone struggling with feelings of inadequacy or weakness?

Points to Ponder:
In our weakness, we find not only His power, but also His tender care for every area where we feel inadequate.
God doesn't need your strength to accomplish His purposes; He needs your willingness to let His strength work through you.
Instead of hiding your struggles or trying to appear stronger than you are, consider how God might want to work through your areas of weakness.
Share II Corinthians 12:9-10 with them and remind them that in Christ, when we are weak, then we are strong!

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for bringing me face-to-face with my weakness. Thank You for showing me that my weakness is good when it brings me to Your strength. I could never be as strong as You, yet in Your grace and mercy, You offer Your strength to me when I rely on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Jesus Paid It All (I Peter 1:18-19)

I Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

There are countless verses in the Bible declaring Jesus as our sin-debt payer. Here are 10 additional Scriptures:
Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
I Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Colossians 1:14, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
Colossians 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”
I Peter 2:24, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Praise the Lord that we have been delivered out of debt! Have you ever had a long standing bill that you finally paid off? What a blessing it was for me to graduate from college debt free. All the long hours of work and praying paid off. What a relief…we have peace in Christ and our sin debt is paid! The financial crisis over the past few years has increased the amount of personal debt for the average household. When you consider credit card, mortgage, and student loan debt, American families are drowning in approximately $105,000 of financial liability. When you factor in that most families pay only the minimal monthly payments, the scenario gets worse. Most individuals who are in debt actually stay in debt a majority of their lives. Suppose a generous individual graciously volunteered to pay off all your debt with no strings attached. Free and clear you own your home, your bills are paid, and the monthly payments cease. Within moments your obligation is relieved; you are free from your financial burden. It is safe to assume you would be ecstatic, thankful, and hopeful about your newfound freedom. You would have no problem sharing with others how this individual’s kindness and charity changed your life. Christ has done more than liberate us from the bondage of financial woes; He has, once and for all, paid the sin debt of every person in the world. He has settled the accounts and guaranteed our freedom from the penalty of sin, which is death. If that be the case, tell someone today of the forgiveness and freedom you have discovered in Christ.

Did you know that you and I have a debt that we can never completely pay? This meant that all debts were cancelled and wiped out as if they never existed. As believers, we are God’s children with a new life. In the life of the believer, the wages of sin have been paid. The past has been cleansed, forgiven, and covered by the blood of Christ. We are a new person in Christ. II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Our salvation in Christ is absolute and certain. We are eternally secure in Jesus Christ. Our past is under the blood and we are new creatures in Jesus Christ that will enjoy everlasting life in Heaven one day in a home that has been prepared for us by the Lord. Thank God for His promises and for the hope that we have in Him.

As Christians, we will never be billed for sin because Jesus paid it all! In 2003, Andrew Malkinson was convicted of rape in England, despite insisting he was innocent. Throughout his incarceration he continued to deny responsibility for the crime, which led to him being refused parole. Finally, in 2020, a DNA test proved that he was not the guilty party and Malkinson was released from prison. Under English law, he was due compensation for wrongful imprisonment, but to his shock he was told that any compensation he received would be reduced by 100,000 pounds to cover the cost of his room and board during his seventeen years in jail. Malkinson reached out to the Ministry of Justice, and because of his complaint the policy was changed. Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk declared, “It is not right that victims of devastating miscarriages of justice can have deductions made for saved living expenses.”

When Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross, He did not leave us with a balance still due that would have to be paid later. He paid the debt in full and our sins have been covered forever, even outside the remembrance of God: “...for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). It is common for people to struggle with guilt over things they have done wrong, and guilt is a good thing when it leads us to repentance. But once we have confessed and forsaken sin, God will never bring it up again.

Thank God that Christ, who is the Altogether Lovely One, died for the unlovely! Thank God that He who is the perfection of purity, the Greatest, most gracious, died for the guilty! Thank God that He who is immaculate, impeccable, and irreproachable died for those who are irritating, ill-tempered, indecent, improper, insensitive, immoral, and interested only in themselves. CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS!!! Hallelujah! The price of our debt has been paid. If you have put your faith in Him, then let Him begin to build, mold, and shape your life.

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​The Significance of a Second (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

World-class runners understand the importance of living with grueling discipline. They train day after day, week after week, stretching and pushing their bodies to the limits. They endure harsh elements, early mornings, and late evenings in preparation for the next race. Their discipline is rooted in the perspective of time. To the passionate runner, half a second could very well mean the difference between first or last place. The older you get the more you value every second in the race of life. In his book, Margin, Dr. Richard Swenson said, “This present moment is, literally, so narrow that it is impossible to conceive. We live our entire lives in an inconceivably thin slice of reality. Reflecting on this for many years now, I have arrived at a corollary understanding –that this present moment is not only infinitely narrow, but also infinitely deep.” What a thought…each moment is infinitely narrow, infinitely deep. No wonder athletes discipline themselves with such resolve: they are trying to get the most out of every second. Do you? Do you value the depth of each moment? As William Penn said, “Time is what we want the most, but what we use the worst.”

The reality is that we live one day at a time. However, usually, we don't number our days; we number our years. When you have a birthday and someone asks how old you are, you tell them your age in the number of years. Let’s number our days, because we live a day at a time. Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Life is a precious gift, yet in the busy pace of our daily routines, it’s easy to overlook just how precious each moment truly is. We get caught up in distractions, endless to-do lists, and worries about tomorrow. But God, in His infinite wisdom, calls us to pause and reflect on the fleeting nature of life, not as an act of fear, but as an invitation to live deeply and purposefully. These moments reflect the essence of what God desires for us—to live fully present in the time He has given us. It means living with gratitude and aligning our hearts with God’s purpose. It’s the little acts of faith, the daily disciplines, and finding joy in the seemingly ordinary that speak to the abundance of this precious life.

Have you ever looked back and wondered, “Where did all the time go?” It’s a question that stirs feelings of regret when we realize how much we’ve wasted on things that don’t truly matter. Scripture calls us to live wisely, to make the most of every opportunity according to Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Rather than focusing on what might have been, God invites us to refocus on what is and ask ourselves how we can use what we’ve been given for His glory. It may start with minor adjustments. Instead of spending an hour browsing aimlessly online, spend a few minutes in prayer or reading Scripture. Instead of procrastinating, make that phone call to encourage a friend today. When we choose to align our time with God’s will, we experience the peace and fulfillment that comes from walking in step with Him. Remember, God’s grace covers all our yesterdays. If you feel like you’ve wasted time in the past, know that He offers you a fresh start. Make the decision today to invest in what truly matters. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, serving in your community, or simply sitting quietly in God’s presence, every moment can be a step closer to His heart.

Time is one of God’s most precious gifts, and yet, it’s one we often take for granted. How easy it is to get lost in distractions, scrolling through social media, binge-watching shows, or chasing after things that hold little eternal value. We tell ourselves we’ll get to the important things “later”, but the truth is, not one of us are guaranteed a “later”. Each moment is an opportunity to live with purpose, to grow in faith, and to reflect God’s love in the world, to share God’s truth or your testimony with someone. Building a God-honoring testimony doesn’t require perfection, only a willing heart, surrendered to His plans. Ask God to teach you to number your days, to fill your heart with wisdom, and to guide your steps as you plant seeds that glorify Him. Your life, no matter how simple it may seem, has the power to influence lives, glorify God, and carry eternal significance. You may not have time tomorrow, but you have time right now. Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”James 4:13-14, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Today, ask yourself, “Am I truly living, or just moving through time?”
Take a moment now to ask, “Lord, how can I use this day for Your glory?”
Is it a decision that points others toward Christ?
Are you using your time to invest in eternal things?

POINTS TO PONDER:
Living for God today will leave a lasting impact for tomorrow.
Life is fleeting, but a life lived for God carries eternal significance.
Take a moment today to reflect on the options, choices, and decisions of today.
Make the decision today to invest in what truly matters.

PRAYER: Lord, teach me to number my days. Help me to seek Your guidance in every step I take. Help me to live wisely, to spend it wisely one day at a time. May I grow closer to You and reflect Your love to others.

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Shut the Door! …Keep Out the Devil! (Ephesians 4:27)

Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give place to the devil.”

There is a story told of a Haitian man who sold his home during a of financial crisis. Because he desperately needed the money, he was willing to let his house go at an incredibly low price with only one stipulation: he was to maintain ownership of one single, solitary nail on the wall in the living room. The fellow who purchased the home agreed to these terms and signed the contract. Months later, the poor Haitian man recovered from his financial collapse and tried to move back into his home. The new owner refused to negotiate with the former tenant. The Haitian fellow proceeded to “occupy” his one nail by placing a dead dog on it. The contract legally confirmed his right to do so. The odor and stench was so bad that the new homeowner sold the property back to the man at a lesser price than he originally paid.

Today, I want to talk to you about doing all you can to keep every door shut to the enemy so he is unable to find easy access into your life. Paul told the church at Ephesus to “Neither give place to the devil.” When we leave just one area of our life, just one nail, under the ownership of Satan, we are subject to the vile and wicked contaminants of the world. Giving him “place” always comes at a price. What may seem like a good deal initially will end up costing us much more than we are willing to pay. Sell out to the Lord and give Him all of your life.

Sinful anger shows up first in a sharp tongue. But as someone has said, "The quickest way to cut your own throat is with a sharp tongue." Even righteous indignation can sour and become sinful, so we should prioritize our lives by getting over our anger by the end of the day, preventing the sun going down upon your wrath. If we don't control our anger, we will give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). This means we will give the Devil opportunity to lead us into sin. Prolonged anger leads to the sins of resentment, bitterness, and hatred. Any unchecked anger gives Satan a place in our lives.

The fire of anger, if not quenched by loving forgiveness, will spread, defile, and destroy the work of God. According to Jesus, anger is the first step toward murder (Matthew 5:21-26) because anger gives the devil a foothold in our lives, and Satan is a thief and a murderer (John 8:44). Satan hates God and God's people, and when he finds a believer with the sparks of anger in his heart, he fans those sparks, adds fuel to the fire, and does a great deal of damage to God's people and God's church. Both lying and anger "give peace to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27).

The word place carries the idea of "opportunity." When we fail to put off the old and put on the new we give Satan an opportunity to gain ground in our life. We can be certain that he will take advantage of every opportunity that we give him. I have learned that the enemy is always looking for ways to sabotage anything that is of significance to the overall plan of God. This is not a suggestion; it is a command. If you’ve ever come under spiritual assault and found the devil in the middle of your affairs, you know that it’s much easier to stop the enemy at the doorway than to try to find a way to extract him once he has found an access point to worm his way into an area of your life. If the door is closed, you’re already in good condition. If it’s locked because you are living a life of holiness and obedience, you are even in better condition. But if you are living loosely, you need to know that the door is not only unlocked; it is likely standing wide open, literally inviting the enemy to come in and wreak havoc in your life! Unrighteous anger opens the door of your life so that the enemy can come in and wreak havoc! Satan is a hideous enemy who seeks to destroy and devour you (I Peter 5:8). If there were a lion loose in your neighborhood, I’m sure you’d lock all your doors at night! Sinful anger leaves your door wide open against the lion roaring for souls! If you don’t want a lion loose inside your house, you’ve got to deal with your anger Scripturally!

It is possible to be both good and mad, but we must deal with it promptly, carefully, and biblically, so that the enemy does not gain a foothold in our lives. Satan does not like people. He hates us with a strong hatred. His sole interest is to deceive us, degrade us, distress us, and then destroy us. Born again believers are no longer Satan’s suckers; we are his deadly enemies. He fears as well as hates us. He keeps up the pressure of his opposition. But we must not give in. Paul said, "Neither give place to the devil." It is not that the devil is afraid of us personally. Rather, he is desperately afraid of the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Satan never knows when we will enter into all that is available to us; when we will become filled with the Spirit and triumphantly wage battle in his realm. Paul expected that we will live triumphant lives. We are not to give place, ground, or opportunity to the devil.

If your walk is to match your talk, then don't give Satan ground in your life. Refuse to give him a foot-hold in your heart. He will build strongholds in areas of our lives if we yield to him and to sin. If you do not conquer anger, then bitterness can become intrenched in your heart. If you surrender your thought life to lust and hate, he will endeavor to corrupt your thoughts continually with the raids of temptation. Satan can make things look attractive and desirable and distort the truth, camouflaging the evil. If you give him room to corrupt your appetites, he will pressure and tempt you to take things into your body that will harm you or hurt your testimony for Christ. Sinful habits that develop in our lives are the result of little daily surrenders we make one at a time. Sinful addictions will turn your heart away from the Lord and you will end up grieving the Holy Spirit.

His various names display the fact that he is wicked, wily, powerful, subtle, devious, and cunning. We must know our enemy. Paul had already mentioned "the Devil" in Ephesians 4:27. His Greek title, Diabolos, means "slanderer." He opposes. He accuses. "Satan" in Hebrew means "adversary." The following are other titles:

• "The Devil" (Matthew 4:1; 13:39; 25:41; Revelation 12:9, 20:2)
• Satan is head of the demons and his lieutenants. (Ephesians 6:12; Job 1:6; Luke 11:18)
• "The serpent" (Genesis 3:1, 14; II Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; 20:2)
• "Beelzebul" (Matthew 10:25; 12:24, 27; Luke 11:15)
• "The prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)
• "The god of this age" (II Corinthians 4:4)
• "The wicked one" (Matthew 13:19; I John 2:13)
• "The dragon" (Revelation 12:9)

There are times when anger is called for, but we are to guard against sinning when we become angry. Anger causes us to either react, lash out and hurt others, or else it motivates us to right wrongs and correct injustices. There is right anger or what may be called justified anger. However, a justified anger is always disciplined and controlled; it is always limited to those who do wrong either against God or against others. The distinguishing mark between justified and unjustified anger is that a justified anger is never selfish; it is never shown because of what has happened to oneself. It is an anger that is purposeful. The believer knows that he is angry for a legitimate reason, and he seeks to correct the situation in the most peaceful way possible.

Points to Ponder:
The believer is to strip away the garment of anger.
Do not give Satan any advantages by going places and keeping company with those who would encourage yielding to temptation.

Questions to Consider:
Can you think of an area of your life that is currently under attack because you have left a door open?
If you can identify such an area, what will you do to close that door?

PRAYER: Father, I invite You to enter into my heart and inspect to see if I have left any open doors that would make it easier for him to find entrance into my life and circumstances. Help me live a life of obedience so I can shut every door to deny him access. Please, open up my understanding as You shine the light of Your Word into my life. Help me detect and deal with areas of disobedience that may become open doors the devil uses destroy my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #25 - Christmas Morning (Luke 1:26-39)

Christmas Morning (Luke 1:26-39)

Luke 1:26-39, “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and 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 for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;”

When we study and investigate the lives of some of those involved in the Christmas story. We see that Mary was the favored one, Jospeh was the faithful one, the shepherds were the following ones, but most important, Jesus was the forever One. We find the name of Jesus. His name is a delightful name, a delivering name, a dazzling name, a dear name, a dominating name, and a durable name. We find the claim of Jesus. Though He began His physical, earthly existence, it was not His beginning. John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am.” We find the aim of Jesus. It is no wonder that His birth was announced by the angels, wondered after by man, witnessed of by stars and influential in changing human lives. He was Deity surrounded and enclosed by human flesh.

We find the fame of Jesus. Jesus is the dominating and most outstanding character of Christmas. He is the Word (John 1:1-3, 14); He is the Light (John 1:4-13); He is the Son of God (John 1:15-18); He is the Christ (John 1:19-28); He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29); He is the King of Israel (John 1:43-49); He is the Son of Man (John 1:50-51); He is the revealer and reconciler between heaven and earth, revealing and reconciling God to men and taking men to God.

1. His Reality. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word.”

A. His Destination.
Revelation 1:18, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. His Omnipresence.” He said “which was”. Was before what? Before anything else. No one but God can be before time and after time and in time at the same time.

B. His Durability.
John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am.” He was before Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, or anyone else, but He is also after them. His Omnipotence; Jesus has no Birth Certificate. A birth certificate is proof you were born. Jesus has nothing to prove. Everyone else has to prove where they came from. Since Jesus came from no one, He has nothing to prove. Since He was before everything, He came from none of them.

C. His Declaration.
John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word.” His Omniscience; “Word” is from “logos” which means to speak a message or words. Words reveal our mind and heart, so Jesus reveals the heart and mind of the Eternal and Almighty God to man. A word is made of letters. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, everything from the first letter of the Greek Alphabet to the last one.

2. His Relationship. John 1:1, “...and the Word was with God…”

A. His Company.
The word “with” means “in company with”. Notice, nowhere in the Bible does it describe a characteristic of God before God Himself. The Bible does not say, “light is God”, but “God is light.” “Love is God”, but rather “God is love.” It does not say, “spirit is God”, but “God is spirit”. It does not say, “God is Word”, but “the Word was God.” This is an important Doctrine. Why? Because many cults and liberals teach that Jesus became God at His baptism and ceased to be God at His death. But before we ever saw the “Light”, experienced the “Love”, received the “Spirit”, or heard the “Word”, He was God. A person is judged by the kind of company he keeps. Jesus was “by the side of God” in eternity past.

B. His Cooperation.
John 8:29, “...for I do always those things that please him.” John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” God was defining Himself in the Person, the Body of the Lord Jesus, and at the same time, Jesus was “in the bosom of the Father.” How can this be? Deity is the only explanation. Only God can be in two places at the same time. Fully Deity and fully declaration. Fully in Heaven and fully on Earth. I’m speaking about Jesus Christ.

3. His Revelation. John 1:1, “And the Word was God.”
The Jehovah Witnesses, in their New World Translation, translates this verse incorrectly as “And the Word was a god.” The King James reads, “And the Word was God.”

A. The Prophets Predicted Him as God. Isaiah 9:6, “…Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

B. The Epistles Interpreted Him as God. I Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” “…without controversy…” It will never be disputed, debated, or sued in court with a losing case. There is more than enough evidence to prove that He’s God.

C. The Believers Experience Him as God. II Corinthians 5:17.
The change He has made in our lives prove He is God. John 1:3, “All things were made by him.” When you purchase nearly any item, you’ll notice labels reading, “Made in Japan”, “made in China”, or “made in U.S.A.” When you look around in this world, everything has His label on it.

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Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #24 – Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7) PART 2

Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7)


This is Part 2 of a 2 Part devotion. You can visit yesterday’s post for Part 1.

Luke 2:6-7, “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

God could have given us anything, but He knew what we needed most. And so, on a long-prophesied night in a stable in the town of Bethlehem, He gave us His presence. The story is told of a Persian king, a wise and good man, who loved his people and wanted to know them more personally. He wanted to know how they lived, to see their hardships and hear about their struggles. So he dressed in the clothes of a working man and began visiting the homes of the poorest people in his kingdom, careful not to reveal his identity as their ruler. On one visit, the king met a very poor man who lived in a cellar. The king asked if he might spend the evening with the man and the man agreed, sharing his meager dinner and making pleasant conversation. The king later returned to visit the man again and disclosed his true identity, half believing the poor man would ask for some gift or favor to elevate his station in life. But instead, the man thanked his king for taking the time to visit him. “You left your big palace to spend time with me in this dark, dreary place, and that brought gladness to my heart”, said the poor man. “To others you may give rich gifts, but to me you gave yourself.” Remember that God had foretold not only the time, but also the place of Jesus’ birth. Micah had prophesied Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and that is how it came to pass:

It is tradition in many cultures to celebrate the birth of a baby by showering a family with food and gifts. Hospital gift shops are full of items such as balloons and stuffed animals visitors may buy when being introduced to the new baby. But Mary had none of that. She went into labor and delivered Jesus in a stable—not a clean and sterile hospital room—and afterward she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths. This gauzy-type substance was not something most mothers would want to wrap their newborns in. Swaddling clothes were typically used as burial wrappings. The significance here is that Jesus Christ was born to die for us. I John 4:9, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” After wrapping Him, Mary laid Christ in a manger. We typically think of a manger as a wooden contraption with hay spilling out of it and of a stable as a barn-like building that was somehow cozy and inviting. The reality, however, is that stables more closely resembled cold, damp, dark caves, and mangers were hewn-out stones that served as feeding troughs for animals. What a humble scene for the birth of a King. The eternal Son of God was born in a cave and laid in a manger surrounded by animals because there was no other place for them to go. “…there was no room for them in the inn” (v. 7b). Some people today still have a “no room” attitude when it comes to Christ. They don’t mind decorating their homes with bright lights, putting up Christmas trees, and spending money on Christmas gifts, but they don’t want to personally receive Jesus as their Saviour or submit to His leadership in any ways that would change their homes or affect the way they live their lives. In short, people have “no room” for Jesus.

The material man has no room. For some people, life is all about how much they can get, how much stuff they can accrue in the shortest time possible. People like this would be wise to remember why Christ came in the first place: to bring eternal security not to our investment accounts, but to our souls. Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” The intellectual man has no room. Some people claim they are too smart to buy into Christianity. They pity Christians, believing we must need the crutch of religion to get through life. But these who have become so smart that they reject the Babe in the manger as the Son of God are, in reality, fools headed for destruction. I Corinthians 1:18–19, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” The religious man has no room. Many put their trust in a religious system; many believe Jesus is part of the equation for eternal life, but many refuse to believe He is the complete answer. They will make room in their lives for a set of rules that make them feel righteous, but they don’t want Jesus to intrude on their closely-held traditions. The truth is, salvation has nothing to do with following a particular religion or adhering to a specific set of beliefs: it’s about receiving Christ as Saviour and trusting Him alone for forgiveness of sins. John 1:10–12, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” Many material, intellectual, and religious people are filled with sadness and gloom despite their best efforts to buy or earn joy. No matter how much money they spend to make a good life for themselves, and no matter how they try to reason away the existence of God or blindly follow a church’s set of rules to be a good person, they are never sure if they’ve done enough to be able to make it into Heaven. There’s only one way to Heaven, and that way is Jesus. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We who know Jesus as our personal Saviour can have continual joy in His presence.

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​Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #23 – Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7) PART 1

Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7)


Luke 2:1-7, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Christ’s arrival on earth at a dark time in history signified that God had not forgotten mankind; in fact, He had been orchestrating a plan to eliminate the burden of sin that separated us from God. At Christmas, perhaps like no other time, we are reminded that no matter what is going on in the world around us and no matter what burdens we carry, there’s always joy in the presence of Jesus. Christmas is about declaring that there is joy to be found because Jesus—whose name Emmanuel means “God with us”—was sent to earth so we could eternally be with Him. Luke 2:1-3, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.” “Those days” that are mentioned in Luke 2:1 were challenging days for the Jewish people. Rome, the greatest military power in the world, had conquered and was occupying Israel. And as if answering to a foreign power weren’t enough, the people had to obey Caesar’s edict of taxation. It was hardly a time for joy, especially considering that Joseph and Mary were forced to walk the 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their taxes while Mary was about to give birth to Jesus. But even in these dark days, God’s providence, His timely preparation, is evident. Caesar may have been ruler, but God was in charge.

Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” But God didn’t just prophesy the birth of His Son; He also made it all come to pass. I Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” I Peter 1:9–11, “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”

As theologian A.T. Pierson said, “History is His story.” President James Garfield said it this way, “History is the unrolled scroll of prophecy.” How wonderful that there was a script written by God long before we were ever born, and that all the events of this world, even those we don’t understand, are working according to His providential plan for the fulfillment of His will. Jeremiah 1:12, “Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.” Caesar Augustus was the most powerful ruler in the known world at that time. His empire was vast and he ruled it with an iron fist, using his great army to keep order and maintain the Roman roads, among other things. When Caesar issued the imperial order that the entire Roman world pay taxes, he no doubt did it partly to benefit the empire and partly to fill his own pockets. But as another ruler recorded in the Scriptures, God holds the king’s heart in His hand. Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” God used Caesar’s edict to fulfill His own plan. Though they did not understand it at the time, Joseph and Mary had to be in Bethlehem in order to fulfill a 700 year old prophecy about the birth of Jesus. Micah 5:2, But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Nothing that happens in this world can override God’s pre-written timetable of Biblical prophesies. He is sovereign and in control of it all, even when we don’t see Him working. God’s sovereignty over history is not seen only in relation to political structures. We see it also in our personal problems. Think of that distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem and of Mary’s expectant condition. Why would God give them such a problem at an already difficult time in their lives? They were expecting their first child at any time, and they were not wealthy people who could afford to make the trip in comfort. Surely there would have been dangers on the road to consider as well. Why would God allow difficult situations into any of our lives at a time when we already have enough burdens? He does it to lead us where we need to be in order to fulfill His purpose in our lives. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Things may have seemed difficult for Joseph and Mary, but God did not allow them to endure this challenge from a desire to see them suffer. Rather, He was allowing them to participate in His plan, leading them to the right place at exactly the right moment. And when we’re overwhelmed by trials in our lives, we must remember God has a plan and a purpose for everything we go through. When we see our trials through His perspective, we can find joy in His providence.

Jesus Christ’s birth brought joy unspeakable to the world. An Army chaplain in World War II finally made it back to America on the first Christmas Eve after the war was over. He'd been overseas for nearly two years and hadn't seen his family in all that long time. He called his wife and told her that he was home, and if everything worked out, he would be in sometime late that night. That meant he would be home in time for Christmas. Mom was thrilled. The two of them decided, though, not to tell the children, just in case something happened, and also, so it would be a surprise on Christmas morning. The next morning "Christmas morning" when the children were all gathered around the tree to open their presents, the white sheet on which the presents had been placed suddenly stirred. From among the packages arose the children's father, like a Christmas present that comes to life. The children celebrated with excitement. You can imagine the joy that family experienced that Christmas. The children had only expected presents, but they found their father instead. Their father gave himself to them for Christmas, and that is the meaning of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. God has come to us. Our Lord comes to us and bears our pain. He does not stand far off from us when we are in distress. He comes to us and stands beside us. In our times of need, we are blessed and comforted by His presence. He comforts us. In fact, the Bible talks about His comfort and how to have it in your life.

Please Visit Tomorrow For Part Two of This Devotion.

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Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #22 - The Night Shepherds Became Missionaries (Luke 2:8–20) – Part 2

The Night Shepherds Became Missionaries (Luke 2:8–20)

This is Part 2 of a 2 Part devotion. You can visit yesterday’s post for Part 1.

Luke 2:15–16, “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

​After hearing this wonderful news, the shepherds determined to discover for themselves if what God had told them through the angels was true. And they did not take their time about it; they made haste to the Bethlehem stable where Jesus lay. Although the town was ordinary and the stable and manger were common for the day, there was nothing at all common or ordinary about the Person the shepherds saw lying in the manger: they saw the only begotten Son of God, the Saviour of the world. In an ecumenical era when society increasingly emphasizes a multitude of pathways to heaven, and people are increasingly tolerant to all religions and gods except for Jesus Christ, we cannot emphasize enough that Jesus Christ is the Son of the One true God, born of a virgin, and He lived a perfectly sinless life and died on Calvary’s tree for our sins.

Matthew 1:22–23, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Many religious celebrations of the Christmas holiday leave out this most important reason for joy in the season. They take offense at the truth that Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, “God with us”, but their feelings make it no less fact. “God with us” is what we celebrate; “God with us” is what Christmas is all about. Jesus is the Son of God, but He also came to be the Saviour the world needed. Matthew 1:20–21. “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Every man, woman, boy, and girl on the planet needs a Saviour because we all fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:10–12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

Being a shepherd was not a glorious life calling in those days. Some theologians have noted shepherds were considered ceremonially unclean and were not allowed into the temple. Further, their word was considered untrustworthy, so that they were not allowed to serve as witnesses in legal matters. Whether or not this was commonly known, what would’ve been certain is that shepherds were lower class citizens. They were poor and dirty men with calloused hands and clothes that likely smelled of the sheep they spent their days and nights tending. Yet God chose them to proclaim to the world that His son had been born. Some of the greatest preachers of the gospel and some of the most faithful Christians to share the Gospel have not been men or women born of especially high pedigree or who had a life or education the world would consider impressive. Instead, what set them apart is that they had hearts yielded to God. God will use any humble servant who is surrendered to Him and who will do whatever God asks. The willingness of these men is seen in their actions; as soon as they had seen Jesus, they quickly went out to tell others.

When the shepherds realized what they’d seen, they couldn’t help but to tell others. Luke 2:17–18, “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” When we truly realize what God has done for us through salvation, paying our sin debt and securing heaven as our eternal home, we should not be able to keep silent about it but be eager to share. Psalm 66:16, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” Knowing Jesus as Saviour is the greatest thing that can happen in a person’s life, and he or she should want to tell others about it. In fact, it is our obligation and great privilege to do so. The reason we know about secluded places like the Christmas Islands is because explorers encountered them in their travels and made known these discoveries to the world. And God’s plan for telling the world about the One who came to be “with us” and bring peace on earth involves people like the shepherds, who encountered Jesus personally and were willing to make known their discovery to all who would listen. There are yet a few more days left of the Christmas season. Use the time to pause for reflection on the Son of God who came to earth on that first Christmas. Then challenge yourself to be one who is unashamed to proclaim to others why He is the only reason for the season.

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