Category: Devotionals

When I  think of Christmas, many things come to mind. Decorations, trees, family gatherings, shopping, church… I’m sure you can think of many other things about Christmas, but today, I want to share with you a very important part about Christmas. That is the giving of gifts.

I have heard that there is too much emphasis on giving gifts, but it is important to realize that without the giving of gifts, there would be no Christmas. It’s true! Think about this…

1. Christmas began when God gave the world its very first gift. That gift was His beloved Son, Jesus, and He was given to be our Saviour. Through Jesus Christ alone, we can receive forgiveness of sins and the promise of life forever in heaven. That is the gift that literally keeps on giving.. for all eternity!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” –  John 3:16

2. The second gift was given by Mary, Jesus’ mother. Luke 1:27-38 records the event when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of God’s only Son.  She chose to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5,6 Mary gave the gift of TRUST to her heavenly Father.

“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” – Luke 1:39

3. The third gift was given by Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. In Matthew 1:18-25, the Bible records the account where Joseph is unsure of what to do with Mary once she has told him she is with child. In a dream, Joseph receives instructions from an angel to take Mary as his wife. Joseph gave the gift of OBEDIENCE to the Lord.

“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:” -Matthew 1:24

4. The fourth gift was given by the shepherds. As they sat watching their flocks, they were astonished to see the angels of heaven appear in the night sky! Luke 2 records the angels appearing to the shepherds and announcing the birth of Christ! The shepherds began to rejoice and gave the gift of PRAISE to God.

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”- Luke 2:20

5. The fifth gift was given by the wise men. Matthew 2 shares the story of the journey of the magi as they followed the star leading them to the home of Jesus. With them, they carried gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Once they found Jesus, the Bible records in Matthew 2 that they bowed down and presented their gifts to Him. These wise men gave the gift of WORSHIP to Jesus.

“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.” – Matthew 2:11

The question to ask ourselves now is “What is our gift to God?

Here are 4 letters that explain four precious gifts that we can all give to the Lord.

• The first letter is “T” – talk to God (pray)
  • “Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • God desires to hear our voices. He asks us to be in the spirit of prayer continually. Think of this… if you knew someone, but they had never spoken a word to you and you had never spoken to them, how would you cultivate a relationship? You couldn’t. Converse with God throughout the day. Develop a deep and abiding relationship with Him. He loves you and longs to hear your prayers. There is no special place you must be or position you must be in to pray. You can be driving your car (don’t close your eyes here!); you can be cooking in the kitchen, or you can be reclining on the couch. It doesn’t matter if it is morning, noon, or night… God is always there, waiting to hear from you!

• The second letter is “I” – intercede (pray for others)
  • “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” – 1 Timothy 2:1
  • Praying for the needs of others is an essential part of a Christian’s life. We are to bear the burdens of others, and in doing so, we can pray for them when they are unable to do so for themselves. There is no greater honor that to bring someone’s name to our Lord in prayer and ask Him to help them. We are even to pray for those who have hurt us, those with whom we do not agree on issues, and those that even dislike us! God always responds to the prayers of His people according to His perfect will.

• The third letter is “M” – meditate on his Word (read the Bible)
  • “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” – Psalm 119:15
  • “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” – Psalm 119:11
  • The way to know God is through His holy Word. The way to equip oneself for the challenges of life is through God’s Word. The way to fight against the forces of darkness in this world is with God’s Word. It is vital for a believer to read and study the Bible because it is only in its pages can one find truth, wisdom, guidance, and the knowledge needed to live a godly life. The Scriptures are used by the Holy Spirit of God to guide, convict, and teach each of us. When we commit to memory the precious Word of God, we are equipping ourselves to “fight the good fight” and do the work of God. Memorizing and meditating on the Scriptures is an invaluable part of the Christian’s life.

• The last letter is “E” – evangelize (tell others about Jesus)
  • “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15
  • This world is a very dark place, full of wickedness and evil. It is sin-cursed and in desperate need of God. However, if no one shares the gospel with the unsaved, how will they ever hear of the Saviour? It is not just a job for a pastor or missionary. Jesus has called each of us to tell the world the good news of salvation through Him, and there is no better time to do this than during the Christmas season because people are more receptive to taking a gospel tract or listening to your personal testimony of how Jesus has changed your life! Share Jesus with everyone you meet!!

Now we have four gifts of letters, and when we put these four letters together, we get the gift that God wants from us. He wants us to give Him the gift of our TIME. Time with Him in prayer; time praying for others; time reading His Word, the Bible; and time sharing Jesus with others.

Christmas is truly a time for giving gifts. I challenge you (and me!) to take time with God daily and take time to share the gift of Jesus with others as often as you can! Your holiday season will be doubly blessed!

Silent night, Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at thy birth,

Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

(from “Silent Night” by Joseph Mohr)

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…” James 4:8a

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What gift will you give to God this year?

This is definitely the month for thoughts on the topic of thankfulness. Recently, I heard the youth pastor of our church, Jared Butler, share a Thanksgiving message with us, and it was a great blessing. Since I am an interpreter for our church, I don’t have the opportunity to take notes, so I am sharing the acrostic and the words he used in his message, adding my own choices of verses and thoughts to go with each item for which I am grateful. I hope this is a blessing to you.

During this time of the year, as I focus on giving thanks for my blessings, my thoughts cannot help but turn to God. Using the acrostic, GIVE THANKS, here are ten things for which I am most grateful today and every day.

G – Grace

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” – Ephesians 2:8

There is nothing that you or I could do to merit the favor of God. The Bible tells us clearly that everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23) and undeserving of anything God has to offer, yet He has loved us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and gave us His Son, Jesus, to become the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14). The grace of God provided what we could never have attained ourselves. It is through His grace that we have been given forgiven and saved from our sins. For that, I am eternally grateful.

I – Instruction

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” – 2 Timothy 3:16

God didn’t just create us and then leave us to exist on our own. He gave us His Word to teach us. It’s like our “owner’s manual” for life. Whatever we need can be found in the pages of the Bible, and then as Christians, we have His Spirit indwelling us (Romans 8:9) who teaches through God’s Word. So many countries of the world forbid their citizens to own a Bible. I am so grateful for the Word of God that I have in my hand every day.

V – Verses

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105

Going along with “Instruction”, I am so grateful for individual verses in the Bible that God uses to speak to my heart. The Bible has often been referred to as the “living Word”, and this is demonstrated in my life when I read it. So often I have read a verse with which I am quite familiar, yet it takes on a new meaning for my life and a particular situation I am facing. There are also specific verses that I cling to when challenges come… ones that I have memorized from years past, and the Spirit of God brings them to remembrance just when I need them most. For that, I am exceedingly thankful.

E – Eternal life

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:15

God has promised me a home in heaven! In fact, Jesus is there right now preparing a place for me (John 14:2). When I trusted Christ as my Saviour, I immediately became a joint-heir with Him (Romans 8:17) and a recipient of all the promises of God, including an eternal dwelling place in heaven! I am so very grateful for my future home with my Saviour!

T – Truth

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” – John 17:17

In a world where “truth is relevant”, the Bible has a truth that is absolute. There is no need to rewrite the Scriptures because they are timeless and 100% true. There is no need to wonder if certain passages of the Bible are “relevant” for this generation because every part of the Bible is relevant and speaks absolute truth for everyone today, just as it did for those in the past and will do for those in the future! My faith is not founded on shaky ground, but rather it is based upon the solid truth of Scripture! That is truly something for which I am incredibly thankful!

H – Help

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

Knowing that my heavenly Father is the Almighty God who made all things, can do all things, controls all things, AND invites me to come to Him when I need help is amazing! Because I am His child, I can go to Him at any time, and He can and will help me through anything that life throws my way. When I am afraid, God helps me (Psalm 56:3). When I am in need, God provides what I need (Philippians 4:19). When I am at my wit’s end, God reminds me He is there for me (Isaiah 41:10). His mercy truly endures forever (Psalm 136:26), and He extends that mercy to me when He helps me each day.  Thank You, Lord, for your help in all areas of my life!

A – Access

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” – Ephesians 2:18

When Jesus died on the cross, the Bible records that “…the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Mark 15:38). This act signified that all those who will come to trust in Christ as Saviour now will have access to God Himself… the barrier has been removed by the work of Christ on the cross. I don’t need anyone to pray on my behalf when I want to share my heart with God. I can pray to Him directly and have the assurance that He is listening to me. In fact, He wants me to come to Him in prayer continually (I Thessalonians 5:17). Knowing that I have access to the Creator of the universe, Almighty God, twenty-fours a day is a blessing beyond words. I am so grateful that I serve a God who is approachable and desires me to come to Him.

N – New life

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:4

My new life in Jesus doesn’t begin when I get to heaven. It began the moment He forgave my sins! My eternal life began when I surrendered myself to Jesus as Lord and Saviour of my life. That was when I became a new creation! 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” My new life comes with a level of peace and joy and contentment that the world cannot offer. Thank You, Lord, for my new life!

K – Knowledge

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6

I can vividly remember when I realized I was a sinner. That knowledge changed my life because it was then that I bowed my head and asked Jesus to forgive me and become my Saviour. From that moment, I have continued to learn more and more about the Lord, and my faith has grown. As His Holy Spirit continues to teach me through the Word of God, I develop a deeper knowledge of who God is and what my relationship to Him means for me. Proverbs 1:7 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…”, and I am so thankful I continue to acquire more knowledge of Him through His Word.

S – Sanctification

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Sanctification means being declared holy and free from sin. This has been accomplished in my life solely through my belief and acceptance of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The shedding of His precious blood and His sacrificial death purchased my salvation, thus sanctifying me and making me acceptable to God. When I accepted the free gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit began a “good work” in me (Philippians 1:6). I have been sanctified for a specific purpose by God, set apart for His use, to do His work. One day, that work will be completed, and I will be in the presence of my God! I am so thankful for sanctification!

Thank you Lord, for saving my soul
Thank you Lord, for making me whole;
Thank you Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

(from “Thank You, Lord” by Seth and Bessie Sykes)

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.”- Psalm 188:1

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Clearly, as Pastor Butler shared, it’s more than just “thanks-giving”. My life is to be one of “thanks-living”. How about you?

(photo courtesy of Deb Shirreffs)

Halloween is right around the corner! Most people associate Halloween with trick-or-treating, where children dress up in costume and go door-to-door to get candy. Houses are decorated for the night with various scary things… ghosts, goblins, and skeletons. Additionally, theme parks advertise their “haunted house” nights, and the entertainment industry often releases new horror movies in October. All of these are designed to generate a certain degree of “fun fear” in people.

Halloween is a day that capitalizes on people’s fears…witches, zombies, black cats, and of course, death. Part of its origin started with the Celts, who, like most people, were afraid of death and evil spirits. One of their customs was to wear costumes and frightening face masks on a day that we now call Halloween in an attempt to scare off the returning ghosts of the dead.

Later, the association of Halloween with the evil spirit world of Satan and his demons became more pronounced, and this generated even greater fear of ghosts, goblins, and monsters. The reality of a day when self-proclaimed witches and warlocks paid homage to their master increased the trepidation in the hearts of many individuals as stories of animal sacrifices and sorcerers casting evil spells surrounded Halloween. To combat the fears of the occult world, Halloween evolved into a day of “fun” fear.

In reality, genuine fear is not fun, and almost anything can be considered a fear or phobia from arachnophobia (fear of spiders) to coulrophobia (fear of clowns) to trypanophobia (fear of needles). Fears can cripple people, keeping them from completing simple acts of daily living such as going grocery shopping or sleeping with all the lights off. Intense fear can even create physical manifestations such as hallucinations or even heart attacks!

Fear is real, and we all experience it in one form of another. How do we combat fear when it is all around us, and when we are living in a world that cultivates fear around every corner?

The answer is found in the Bible.

In 1 John, we are told that perfect love drives out fear. Perfect love can only come from a relationship with God. Once a person has trusted Christ as their Saviour, the love of God is so real in one’s life, and that love has the power to conquer any fear. Here are some ways that demonstrate how God alleviates our fears.

1. God promises to be with us.
   1. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
   2. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6
2. God promises to fight our battles for us.
   1. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
   2. “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” – Exodus 14:14
   3. “…Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” – 2 Chronicles 20:15
3. God controls all things; He is all powerful.
   1. “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” -Psalm 147:5
   2. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

By remembering who God is… the Creator of all things… the One who simply spoke and everything we know came into existence… and remembering that if you have trusted in Christ as your personal Saviour, God’s great love and protection is available to you through His Spirit. The all-powerful, all-knowing God loves you and will take care of you. Matthew 10:31 says “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” God cares for each little bird, and they are not nearly as important to Him as you are. He did not send His Son to die on a cross for the salvation of the birds… He sent His Son for you and me. Therefore, if God takes such great care of the sparrows, He most certainly will take care of you.

We don’t need to fear anything in this sinful world (including the very real world of the occult) because our Father in heaven, who knows everything, created everything, AND controls everything, has you firmly in the palm of His hand. Joshua 10:25 states, “And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.” He will take care of you in every circumstance and situation you face. He has promised that. Psalm 91 confirms this in verses 9 and 10, “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

It is important to remember that fear does not come from God, but He does control all entities from which fear emanates. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) He tells us in His word, that when we are afraid, we are to trust in Him and His ability to protect and save us from all evils… all things of which we are fearful. David, who faced fear many times in his life, wrote in Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” We should do the very same thing whenever fear threatens to overwhelm us; we must remember to trust in the Lord!

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place
‘Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry
Keep me safe till the storm passes by
 
Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand
Keep me safe till the storm passes by

(from “’Til the Storm Passes By” by Mosie Lister)

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” –  Zechariah 4:6

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Face your fears with prayer, and rest secure in God’s love!

You know autumn is here when pumpkins begin to make their appearances, cool crisp weather replaces the heat and humidity of summer, and candy corn can be found in the seasonal aisles of the grocery stores. For me, when leaves of varying colors begin their dance to the earth below, I know fall has arrived.

Scientifically speaking, I know that the color change of the leaves actually means they are dying. The chloroplasts (the green organelles) that produce food for the leaves have died, and when they die, the other colors of leaf pigment become visible. This is manifest in the brilliant hues of red, orange, yellow, and even brown. However, there is so much more to these leaves than their colors, and that is what I’d like to share with you.

COLORS OF AUTUMN: BROWN

The first leaf color is brown. Brown often represents the earth. Its tones can be seen in the dirt and the hills. In the autumn, we see browns in the leaves, and as they fall, we see the barren trees. These fallen leaves are no longer living, and so brown also reminds us of death.

When I see the brown leaves, they remind me of mankind. Why? Because like the leaves that are becoming brown because they are dying, we are also dying. The Bible clearly states that we are all sinners, and that the punishment for our sins is death. Romans 3:23 states that all of us, no matter who we are or how good our works are, we can never math the glory of God. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Because of that, we are all dying physically and spiritually. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death…” But Romans 6:23 doesn’t end here. It continues. The complete verse states “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The brown leaves also remind me of the price that was paid for my sins. It reminds me of the cross that Jesus sacrificed Himself upon to purchase my redemption. 1 John 4:14 says, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” Philippians 2:8 states, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  Lastly, 1 Peter 2:24 speaks of Jesus, “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.” So, while brown reminds me of my sin and death, it also demonstrates the incredible love of God for His creation through the death of His beloved son, Jesus, on the cross.

When I see brown leaves, I am reminded of the cross of Christ and His great sacrifice for me.

COLORS OF AUTUMN: RED

The second leaf color I think of at autumn is red. Red is most commonly associated with love, and the love of God is mentioned many times in the Bible. Perhaps the most familiar verse to most of us is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Another verse that speaks of God’s great love is Romans 5:8, which states, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

While red is probably most noted for being the color of love, it is also the color of sin. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” The red leaves remind me of the curse of sin in this world and the curse of sin in my own life.

However, the color red also symbolizes blood, and that reminds me of the precious blood of Jesus that was shed upon the cross for my sins. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Jesus spoke of His blood at the Last Supper, when He spoke of the cup. He said, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. On the cross, Christ offered his precious blood as the atonement for our sins, and it was accepted by God the Father as the “once and for all” payment for our sin-debt. Once we ask Jesus to forgive us, His shed blood covers any and all sins we have or ever will commit. All fear of God’s judgment and punishment is removed as we are redeemed by the precious blood of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ.

When I see the red leaves of autumn, it reminds me of the blood of Christ that cleanses me of my sin and the enormity of the love of God for His creation… you and me!

COLORS OF AUTUMN: ORANGE

The next leaf color is orange. Orange is frequently associated with optimism and hope, deep understanding, and freedom. It also is representative of flames and fire.  When I think of flames in the Bible, I think of  I think of the fire of God as manifested by the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:3-4 states, “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The power of God’s Spirit was manifest in the visualization of flames! When a person accepts Christ’s free gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence with us. Jesus tells us the work of the Spirit in John 14:26. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Where are these things that the Spirit brings to our remembrance? These things are found in the Word of God. As we read and study the Bible, the Holy Spirit will bring verses to our mind when we need them. He will teach us, convict us of sin, guide us and equip us to serve God and represent Jesus to the world. Our responsibility is to read and study the Bible, so the Holy Spirit has the material by which He does His work in us.

This fall, when I see leaves of orange, I will think of the Holy Spirit that dwells within me and remember that He is the One by whom I will learn and understand the deeper things of God.

COLORS OF AUTUMN: GOLD

Lastly, I reflect on the yellow or gold leaves.Traditionally, yellow or gold is the color of wisdom, diligence, cheer, and wellness, but when I think of gold or yellow, I am reminded of heaven. Heaven, of course, is the place where God dwells. We have a small glimpse of heaven from the writings in the Bible, but there is nothing, I believe, that can prepare us for the glory of God that will be manifested there. So, what does the Bible tell us?

In Revelation 21:21, God’s Word says, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”

We also know the glory of God is seen in heaven. “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23). We know that there will be no need of the sun because God Himself will be the Light. Revelation 22:1-5 states, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

When I see the golden leaves of autumn, it brings thoughts of heaven to my mind.

The colors of autumn are so abundant! Seeing God in nature and remembering Jis love story with humanity is a beautiful way to stay grounded during this season of change. Seeking evidence of His handiwork in our everyday routines makes for a great mindfulness exercise and spiritual growth tool! Being intentional about your thought life is so helpful in staying in touch with God as we enter into the busyness of the holiday season. As you notice the colors of autumn, take as many moments as you can to show gratitude to our Creator for all He has done for you.

(photo courtesy of Samantha Campbell)

One of my favorite Christmas songs is “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas,” and when it starts to play on the radio stations, I get excited! Christmas is coming!! As a child, I remember seeing the first signs of the approaching holiday near Thanksgiving, and my heart would overflow with joy! Store windows started to have Christmas displays, and churches had nativity scenes on their lawns. Even the streetlight poles had decorations on them! The signs of the season were everywhere!! Christmas was coming, and I could hardly wait!

As an adult, I confess I feel the same excitement when the Christmas season nears. I love to decorate my home, attend the special church services, go shopping for gifts, and bake those delicious Christmas cookies that are so much fun to decorate, especially when I do it with my grandchildren! Each December day brings me one step closer to the 25th of the month when my family remembers and celebrates the birth of Jesus, God’s precious Son, by reading of Luke 2 together on Christmas morning. Later, we exchange gifts, and then we feast on a delicious meal together, enjoying the day with extended family and special friends. I love Christmas, and each year, around November, I start actively looking for the signs of Christmas because I know the moment I see the signs, the holiday will soon be here.

You know, the Bible also has an event coming to which I am looking forward with great anticipation and the signs are everywhere! That event is the return of Jesus Christ to rapture His church! There are over 1000 prophecies in the Bible, and approximately 500 deal with the return of Jesus have been fulfilled! There are NO MORE that need to be fulfilled before He returns! 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 states, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (The other 500+ prophecies will be fulfilled after the Christians are taken back to heaven by the Lord.)

Like Christmas, there are” signs of the times” all around us that seem to shout that “Jesus is coming soon!” Matthew 24 records Jesus as stating that the world would be similar to how it was in the days of Noah when He comes back. Genesis 6:5 states, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Mark 13:7 states, “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.” Whether in a newspaper or a television news broadcast, there are always reports of wars and the possibilities of others. And the wickedness of the world is blatantly paraded for all to see! It doesn’t take a scholar to see that the descriptions in Genesis 6 and Mark 13 could easily be a description of our world today.

On December 24th, everything is set for the arrival of Christmas morning. There is nothing left to be done. That is how it is with the next Biblical event, when Jesus returns for His bride, those who have trusted Him as their personal Saviour. There is absolutely nothing left to be done except to wait for the shout and the sound of the trumpet! I can hardly wait!

Jesus is coming to earth again, what if it were today?
Coming in power and love to reign, what if it were today?
Coming to claim His chosen Bride, All the redeemed and purified,
Over this whole earth scattered wide, what if it were today?

(from “What If It Were Today?” by Leila Naylor Morris)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3

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Are you listening for the trumpet?

More than 350 million Christians live in places where individuals are persecuted simply due to their faith in Jesus Christ. This translates to 1 out of every 7 Christians globally who fall into this category (OpenDoors.com).  More than 50 countries have severe restrictions on the possession of the Bible, ranging from a total ban on the book to having merely one page of the Scriptures.

As I thought about this, I had to ask myself, “Do I know enough of the Bible to sustain me if it was taken away and my church was forced to close?” “Could I teach my grandchildren the basic doctrines of Scripture that would lead them to salvation and eternal life through Christ?” “Could God use me to share His precious gospel with the lost souls in my family and/or neighborhood if I had no Bible?”

Do I even need to worry about this? After all, I live in America. Many would argue that this type of persecution would never happen in a country founded on Biblical principles, one where every individual has certain inalienable rights as our Declaration of Independence states. It couldn’t occur in a country whose Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, could it? Frankly, there have been many things happening in our country in recent years that I never imagined would happen in our nation. Things that violate the very document that was put in place to protect the individual rights of every citizen. If the Constitution is ignored today and lawmakers assume they know best for you and me, what will that look like tomorrow?

So, the compelling question in my mind is, “How much Scripture have I ‘hidden in my heart’?” I cannot imagine my life without the holy Word of God, yet as I see things unfolding here in the United States and around the world, I know I don’t have as much of the Bible committed to my memory as I would like or as I would need.

So, what do I do? Interestingly enough, the answer is found in the Bible itself. Here is what God Himself tells me to do.

1. Memorize as many verses in Scripture as I can.
   1. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” – Colossians 3:16
   2. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” – Deuteronomy 6:6

2. Teach the Scriptures to children.
   1. “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” – Deuteronomy 6:7
   2. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” – 2 Timothy 3:16

3. Live according to God’s Word
   1. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – James 1:22
   2. “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” – Philippians 2:16

It is my prayer that America never becomes a Godless nation, and that Bibles are never taken away from us. However, as the hatred for anything remotely Christian escalates, the future is uncertain. Therefore, I will strive to hold fast “… the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” – Titus 1:9

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said,

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

(from “How Firm a Foundation” by G. Keith and R. Keen)

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

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Would your life be any different without the Bible?

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

I have heard people say they don’t attend church because they can worship God in any place. While that is true, it is so important to know that church is so much more than a place… in fact, the church is truly not the physical place. It is the gathering together of others who love the Lord, having fellowship with them, singing and praising God and learning more about Jesus together! My church is also the place where I receive solid Bible-based teaching from God’s Word from those whom the Lord has called to instruct the body of Christ. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)

Here is one of the messages my pastor, Tim Campbell, shared in his online devotions. With his permission, I am sharing it and hoping you are as encouraged as I was upon reading it.

“It is clear that the culture in the world is bearing down upon those who follow Christ. Of course, the antagonists lump together anyone who uses the name of Christ as a Christian without looking at their true life and testimony. But nonetheless, the pressure is on. Jesus taught His disciples that this would come, and that this should not deter them from the essential mission of preaching and propagating the Gospel. Israel was an example of that in Egypt. They lived with the principles of Godly leadership, started by Joseph, for 400 years in Egypt. When the Egyptians forgot Joseph and Pharaoh began to fear and oppress them, they continued to thrive. It was as if the more they were persecuted, the more they grew. That was because they endured the afflictions and looked to God. In the end, God sent a deliverer to take them out of Egypt to the Promised Land.

It appears to me that there is a great lesson for the real Christians today who stand for Christ. We should expect adversity because Christ told us it would be so and because Satan is relentless in His attempt to stop the Gospel. Some in the church, have cowered to the adversity and tried to appease the humanistic crowd. Some don’t want to wear the name of Christ. Some don’t want to be identified with the local new testament church and fulfill its mission. But the Christian who will thrive no matter what is a “so much the more” Christian. When the pressure comes, they stand taller and proclaim the message clearer. When they began to contrast more against the wickedness invading society, they don’t chameleon but greatly rejoice that they shine more for Christ. When others began to neglect to serve the Lord at church, they say, count me in! When the character of their associates at work declines, they stay true to God and shine in their business. When families began to criticize and say church worship is no longer important, they make sure their whole family is in the house of God and His presence so much the more.

What area of your life needs “so much the more”? Worship, church, Bible study, prayer, Christian fellowship, service, witness…? Take it to the Jesus level and say ‘so much the more’!”

You will notice we say “brother and sister” ’round here,

It’s because we’re a family and these are so near;

When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,

And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God,

I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I’m part of the family, the family of God.

(from “The Family of God” by Bill & Gloria Gaither)

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:13

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Are you a “so much the more” Christian?

“They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22

The most famous geyser in the world is undeniably Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park with over a million eruptions since its discovery in 1870. It is aptly named because its eruptions are fairly predictable at every 60-110 minutes. However, Old Faithful’s “faithfulness” only has a 90 percent confidence rate, which means that while it puts on a dynamic show every 60-110 minutes, its schedule of eruption is not completely reliable. The time of each eruption is influenced by the duration and height of the previous eruption.

As I thought about this geyser’s dependability in eruptions, I reflected upon the faithfulness of God, and I rejoiced that God doesn’t operate with a 90% confidence rate. Can you imagine what it would be like to depend upon a God whose faithfulness was NOT 100%?

Imagine the impact with a few familiar verses if God had a track record as “faithful” as Old Faithful.

1) Deuteronomy 7:9

1. 90% – “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the 90% faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”
2. 100% – “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”

2) 1 Corinthians 10:13

1. 90% – “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is 90% faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
2. 100% – “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

3) 1 Peter 4:19

1. 90% – “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a 90% faithful Creator.”
2. 100% – “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

4) 1 John 1:9.

1. 90% – “If we confess our sins, he is 90% faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
2. 100% – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

5) Revelation 21:5

1. 90% – “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And hesaid unto me, Write: for these words are true and 90% faithful.”
2. B) 100% – “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

A 90% confidence rate is great if you’re a geyser, but not if you’re the God of the universe!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be!

Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

(from “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas O. Chisholm)

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:9

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I am so glad that I serve a 100% faithful God! What about you?

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5

In this chaotic world that we live in, it is easy to get overwhelmed. With the exponential increase of technology… social media, cellular networking, even microwaves, and so much more, we live in a world that’s on the fast track! Trying to keep up with our obligations and responsibilities is almost impossible, yet we struggle daily to do exactly that! It IS overwhelming, and often we find ourselves drowning! So what can we do to alleviate the increasing feelings of helplessness and hopelessness?

My pastor, Tim Campbell, wrote this devotion that addresses this exact issue. With his  permission, I have reposted his devotion here in my blog. I hope you are as blessed from it as I was.

“Overwhelmed is a word that we have redefined over the past couple of years. When something happens over which we have no control, the natural tendency is to lower our attitude and spirit and become overwhelmed.

King David had been in times like that when he was running for his life or facing overwhelming odds against an enemy set on destroying him. But in those most helpless times, David set his heart to trust in God. He chose to rise higher and reach out to the Rock of his salvation. As a shepherd, David knew every high rock in the region where he had grown up. From the high rock, he had learned that his view of things was much better. He could grasp the big picture. He could see where the enemy was and see the places where he could stand or hide!

We have the same Rock in the Lord, our Shepherd. He will always lead us in the darkest times to the Rock so that we might have hope and a different perspective from those that do not know and trust Him. Whether it be a consequence of sin, the challenge of your life, or a catastrophe that overwhelms your soul, cry out to the Lord and ask Him to lead you. It is amazing how in a time of trouble, the touch of a leading hand can bring great comfort and courage.

Take the Lord’s hand today. Follow Him to Higher Ground and stand on the promises of Scripture. You will see highways of faith and God’s plans for your life. You will see beyond the situation to a Savior who loves you! Overwhelmed today? Move Higher!”

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
Alone I would perish, undone would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

(from “Hiding in Thee” by William O. Cushing)

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings...”- Psalm 17:8

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Jesus truly is our Rock in a weary land!

Today, my church’s associate pastor, Doyle Jackson, preached a message that really spoke to my heart. With his permission, I am sharing the notes I took, which are a blend of his sermon plus a few of my own thoughts woven throughout as the Holy Spirit moved me. I hope this is a blessing to you as much as it was to me.

Paul is in prison and close to his last day on earth. In the end of this last letter to Timothy, Paul continues to be focused on doing God’s work, and he is encouraging Timothy to remain strong and courageous and continuing preaching the gospel, so he sends him this letter. While this was a letter to Timothy, a young preacher that Paul thought of as a son in the faith, it is also part of the Word of God that the Lord inspired Paul to write for generations-to-come to read and study long after he and Timothy had finished their work on earth.  It is this Bible, that we have in our hand today, and it is truly a love letter from God! Just as we would reread love letters, we should reread the Word of God and allow Him to speak to us every day! Here is what this portion of God’s love letter says to us today.

1) First… the charge from the man of God. “Charge” means to assign a responsibility or a duty. Paul reminds Timothy he has a divine responsibility. He tells Timothy to not forsake this calling from God. One day, our lives here on earth will be over, and we will give an account to God of what we have done with our lives. God is the judge, and one day we will stand before Him. Are you ready? Are you saved? Is there a day in your life when you asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you? A time when you understood that you were a sinner and could not save yourself, but chose to believe that Jesus died on the cross to provide salvation and the assurance of a future home in heaven? Did you call upon the Lord and ask Him for His forgiveness of sins and to save your soul? Salvation through faith in Jesus will guarantee eternal life in heaven one day. The authority of the Bible guarantees that if you make that decision to accept God’s Son as your personal Lord and Saviour.

If saved, are you surrendered to the Lord? Have you allowed God to take control of your life and do what He wants to do with you? Are you willing to do what God directs you to do? God has a plan for each life. There is no greater satisfaction or joy in life than doing what God has prepared you to do. Additionally, whatever God calls you to do, He will equip you with the knowledge, skill, and ability to do it! There is no need to fear what God asks of you! One future day, we will give an account to God of what we have done for Him. The Lord called Timothy to preach the Word of God because the world he was a part of desperately needed the hope that only Jesus offers. The world today is also full of idolatry, sinfulness, and wickedness. We need to share the gospel with all we encounter! Why? The good news of Jesus Christ is the only answer to the problem of sin and its impact in our world. No matter what the circumstances are, no matter if people mock or reject you, we must be faithful to get the Word of God out to a lost and dying world. It is not just a preacher’s or Sunday school teacher’s responsibility; it is the duty of every single child of God to share the good news of the gospel… the truth of the Bible! There is no doubt that our world urgently needs it! Why is that? Because Jesus is coming soon. The evidence of this next event on God’s calendar is clearly spelled out in Scripture. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel of Christ! We must be fervent in our work for the Lord before the trump of God sounds! (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Imagine where you would be if no one shared Jesus with you!

2) Second… the condition of the man of God. Paul is in prison because he chose to live for God. He committed no crime. He simply chose to be a faithful minister for 30+ years of his life. If you were in a dungeon or jail and knew you were going to be executed for your faith, what would you be doing? Paul was in this very situation. However, he realized there was still much work to do for God. He was “content” (Philippians 4:11( in his circumstances and refused to quit. He realized that God was sovereign and in complete control of his life. He also knew that in his last day, God would take him home to be with Him forever. Paul never abandoned his calling despite the fact that living for Christ was not easy. He didn’t quit; he finished his race (2 Timothy 4:7), and he finished it well to the glory of God. Paul knew there was a reward in heaven for him and all those who live for the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 6:10), and that was reflected in his testimony. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

3) Third… the concern of the man of God. Paul writes about those who have abandoned him. His heart was probably broken because a fellow-laborer, who was a trusted man, fell in love with the present world. He had pursued the temporary of this earthly life and forsook that which was eternal. Many Christians do that today. They live their lives for things… material things… not realizing those things would one day be left behind. 2 Timothy 3:4 states that people would become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Sometimes even believers can get off course as Paul warns about in the end of this letter to Timothy. We need to ask ourselves, “Is there anything I love in my life more than I love God?” When you ask yourself this question, be honest with the answer. If you find there are things that mean more to you than doing God’s work, it is time to seek God’s forgiveness and help to make things right.

4) Lastly… the confidence of the  man of God. In verse 17, Paul writes about how God has been with him and strengthened him. He writes about being “delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” His confidence was not in himself… it was in God. That’s encouragement, and Paul needed that at the end of his life. And oh, how God encouraged him! The strength that Paul received from God enabled him to bring glory to the Lord despite facing his execution!. Hebrews 13:6 reminds us, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” No doubt this was forefront in Paul’s mind.

How is all this applicable to us today? What can we glean from this conclusive letter from Paul to Timothy… from God to us? Here is what we must do:

1) Allow God to have His way in your life.

2) Choose faithfulness to God regardless of what anyone else does.

3) Live for the eternal; live for that which really matters.

4) Enjoy daily the Lord’s presence… find a time to be alone with Him every day.

5) Remember, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus!

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus

Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race, till we see Christ. 

(from “It Will Be Worth It All” by Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14

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For whom are you running your race?