2017-12-25
John 1:29 NIV
Scholars disagree as to the exact date of Christ’s birth. Nor do they know that the Church of the Nativity that’s visited every day by pilgrims in Bethlehem, is the exact location of His birth. Nor can any of us comprehend how by the Holy Spirit, a virgin girl could conceive a child. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to know when, where, or how Jesus was born, you just need to know why. “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). Only four things matter: (1) If Christ had not come, God would be unknown to us. (2) If Christ had not come, our sins would be unforgiven. The name Jesus means “Jehovah saves!” John the Baptist called Him “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (3) If Christ had not come, our prayers would be unanswered. In Bible days you needed a priest to petition God on your behalf. And Jesus is our High Priest who “understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT). (4) If Christ had not come the first time, we would have no assurance that He will come the second time and catch us away to heaven to be with Himself.
Soul food: Isa 7:14; Luk 2:1-20; Mic 5:2-5a; Isa 9:6-7
2017-12-24
Romans 8:39 CEV
That first Christmas, God did something extraordinary. Max Lucado puts it this way: “Stepping from the throne, He removed His robe of light and wrapped Himself in skin: pigmented human skin. The light of the universe entered a dark, wet womb. He whom angels worshiped nestled Himself in the placenta of a peasant, was birthed into the cold night, and then slept on a cow’s hay. Mary didn’t know whether to give Him milk or give him praise, so she gave Him both – since He was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy. Joseph didn’t know whether to call Him junior or father. But in the end he called Him Jesus, since that’s what the angel said, and since he didn’t have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms.” Lucado continues: “Don’t you think their heads tilted and their minds wondered, ‘What in the world are You doing, God?’ Or better phrased, ‘God, what are You doing in the world?’ ‘Can anything make Me stop loving you?’ God asks. ‘You wonder how long My love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. That’s Me you see up there, your Maker, your God…That’s how much I love you.'” Paul asks, “Can anything separate us from the love of Christ?” (v. 35 CEV). Then he answers his own question: “Nothing can separate us from God’s love – not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love” (vv. 38-39 CEV). And that’s what Christmas is all about!
Soul food: Ps 103:8-18; John 3:16-18; Mat 18:21-35
2017-12-23
Romans 15:1 NIV
If you think you’ve nothing of real value to offer others, consider the words of an unknown poet: “One song can spark a moment; one flower can wake a dream. One tree can start a forest; one bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship; one handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea; one word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation; one sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness; one laugh can conquer gloom. One step can start a journey; one word can start a prayer. One hope can raise our spirits; one touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom; one heart can know what’s true. One life can make a difference; you see…it’s up to you.” Author Jon Walker says: “Encouragement is part of God’s nature. The New Testament word for encouragement is the same word Jesus used for the Holy Spirit who comes alongside us as an advocate…constant comforter…resident reminder…holy helper…indwelling guide… supplier of courage. Another way God encourages us is when other believers come alongside us as agents of encouragement. Encouragers offer affirmation and confirmation to those who see God’s hand working in their lives (See 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4); exhortation and reassurance to those who walk through trials and tribulations (See 1 Thessalonians 5:14); and reconciliation and restoration to those who stray (See Galatians 6:1). While there are many ways to bring out the best in others, in reality it only takes one: a willingness to ‘bear with the failings of the weak and not…please ourselves.’ That’s how we strengthen them in the faith. It’s called ‘people-building.'”
Soul food: Job 21-23; Luk 1:67-80; Ps 117; Ecc 10:10-14
2017-12-22
Romans 15:2 NIV
Two men who shared a hospital room ended up becoming friends. One was allowed to sit up for an hour every day. His bed was beside the only window. The other man spent his life flat on his back. Each day the man at the window would describe the activity and colour of the outside world: the park overlooking the lake, ducks swimming, children playing, couples walking hand-in-hand, the skyline in the distance. His friend, who could see none of this, smiled and imagined it all in his mind’s eye. One day the man by the window died and his roommate moved into his place. He propped himself up to look outside and was amazed to see a drab cinder-block wall! Confused, he asked the nurse how come his friend had described the scenery in such glowing terms. She replied, “Actually, he was blind and he couldn’t even see the wall. He just wanted to encourage you.” Paul said, “Each of us should please his neighbour…to build him up.” There’s great satisfaction in encouraging people, especially when your own situation is less than ideal. One author writes: “When you tell someone they’re beautiful, you change how they see themselves. A girl in love thinks she’s the most beautiful girl in the world because her young man said so. When a teacher tells a student he’s smart, he works harder and achieves more. When a parent tells a child she’s loved, she has confidence to reach for the stars. On the other hand, a doctor who point-blank tells a patient that he’s ‘terminal’ can speed up the death process.” Words are powerful; use yours to build people up.
Soul food: Job 18-20; Luk 1:57-66; Ps 113; Ecc 10:5-9
2017-12-21
Romans 16:1-2 NIV
Your church needs members committed to supporting and encouraging each other. People like Phebe, whom Paul calls “a succourer of many.” Succor: In Greek, it applied to Olympic coaches who supported athletes and made sure they were trained and equipped to win. Bible scholar H. F. Moule describes Phebe as “a champion…who stood up for others…a devoted, brave friend of converts in trouble, who fought battles of protest where she found oppression …and pleaded the cause of the poor.” That’s a heavy-duty assignment! And in today’s “Me Generation” not many are willing to take it on. But the truth is there’s no greater investment than people. When you invest in another person you give yourself a gift, because you can’t light their path without brightening your own. And the divine rewards outweigh any earthly compensation: “Whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord” (Ephesians 6:8 NKJV). As one pastor observed: “You have something nobody else can give. Think about how you can make somebody else’s life better. Who can you support and strengthen? Somebody needs your encouragement today…needs to know you believe in him, that you’re for him, that you think he has what it takes to succeed. Looking back, chances are someone played a pivotal role in helping you get where you are today. A parent or teacher who had confidence in you…a boss who placed you in a higher position when you didn’t feel qualified…somebody who saw more in you than you saw in yourself.” Now it’s your turn!
Soul food: Job 15-17; Luk 1:39-56; Ps 128; Ecc 10:1-4
2017-12-20
Matthew 18:19 TM
The Bible says, “When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action.” Becky Smith was eighty-four years old and her sister Christine was eighty-two. The years had taken sight from the first and bent the body of the second, so they couldn’t attend church. Yet their church needed them. They lived on the Isle of Lewis off the coast of Scotland, and a spiritual darkness had settled on their village of Barvas. The congregation was losing people, and the youth were mocking the faith, speaking of conversion as a plague. In October 1949 the Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland called upon their members to pray. But what could two elderly, housebound sisters do? Quite a lot, they determined. They turned their cottage into an all-night house of prayer. From 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. two nights each week, they asked God to have mercy on their city. After several months, Becky told Christine that God had spoken these words to her: “I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground” (Isaiah 44:3 NKJV). She urged her pastor to conduct a revival and invite the well-known evangelist Duncan Campbell to speak. When Campbell refused to come, she insisted: “God says he’s coming and he’ll be here in a fortnight.” And it happened! For five weeks Campbell preached every night to overflowing crowds at 7:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m., midnight, and 3:00 a.m. Sinners were converted, pubs closed for lack of patrons, and the Isle of Lewis tasted the presence of God – all because two women prayed in agreement.
Soul food: Job 11-14; Luk 1:26-38; Ps 47; Ecc 9:16-18
