A Promise To Praying Parents
âThey shall come back from the land of the enemy.â Jer 31:16 NKJV
Are you living under a cloud of guilt, feeling like a failure because your child has gone astray? Donât do it! The Bible teaches that sometimes children simply wonât listen to the counsel of their parents. Solomon was probably giving a word of personal testimony when he wrote, âA wise son heeds his fatherâs instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebukeâ (Pr 13:1 NKJV). Jesus didnât hold the father accountable for the fact that his prodigal son went astray (See Lk 15:11). And if you did your best, God doesnât hold you accountable either. The truth is that bad parents sometimes turn out good children, and good parents sometimes have children who go bad. Godâs first two children were placed in a perfect paradise, yet they rebelled. Ultimately, weâre all given the power to choose. There comes a time when every child is no longer a child, and has to take responsibility for his or her actions. So if youâve done your best as a parent, donât let the Devil put a guilt trip on you. And if youâve failed as a parent, itâs not the unpardonable sin. Not only will God forgive you, but you can also claim this wonderful promise: âRefrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your futureâŠthat your children shall come back to their own borderâ (Jer 31:16-17 NKJV). Donât give up on your children, because God hasnât. Keep praying and believingâand allow Him to work on them.
âThey shall come back from the land of the enemy.â Jer 31:16 NKJV
Are you living under a cloud of guilt, feeling like a failure because your child has gone astray? Donât do it! The Bible teaches that sometimes children simply wonât listen to the counsel of their parents. Solomon was probably giving a word of personal testimony when he wrote, âA wise son heeds his fatherâs instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebukeâ (Pr 13:1 NKJV). Jesus didnât hold the father accountable for the fact that his prodigal son went astray (See Lk 15:11). And if you did your best, God doesnât hold you accountable either. The truth is that bad parents sometimes turn out good children, and good parents sometimes have children who go bad. Godâs first two children were placed in a perfect paradise, yet they rebelled. Ultimately, weâre all given the power to choose. There comes a time when every child is no longer a child, and has to take responsibility for his or her actions. So if youâve done your best as a parent, donât let the Devil put a guilt trip on you. And if youâve failed as a parent, itâs not the unpardonable sin. Not only will God forgive you, but you can also claim this wonderful promise: âRefrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your futureâŠthat your children shall come back to their own borderâ (Jer 31:16-17 NKJV). Donât give up on your children, because God hasnât. Keep praying and believingâand allow Him to work on them.
Trust God, And Act!
âPerhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.â 1Sa 14:6 NIV
During the early days of Saulâs kingship, the Philistines controlled the western border of Israel, and battle lines were drawn at the pass called Michmash. Saul seemed content to sit on the sidelines, but Jonathan wanted to be on the front line. âCome, letâs go over to the Philistine outpost on the other sideâ (v. 1 NIV). There was only Jonathan and his armor bearer, so the odds didnât look good. But when you make a move that is motivated by Godâs glory, it moves the heart and hand of God. What it requires is a step of faith. And often itâs the longest, hardest, and scariest step youâve ever taken. Usually when Israelâs kings went into battle it was because they had received a word from the Lord assuring their victory. Jonathan had received no such word. He simply said, âPerhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.â Most people operate out of the opposite mentality: âPerhaps the Lord wonât act in our behalf.â They let fear dictate their decisions instead of faith. So they end up with Saul, sitting on the sidelines. And how did the battle turn out for Jonathan and his armor bearer? âSo the Lord rescued Israel that dayâ (v. 23 NIV). All it took was one daring decision! Thatâs all it ever takes. When you move, God will move on your behalf. And if you donât move, youâll always wonder âwhat if?â Our longest regrets are our inaction regretsâthe things we would have, could have, or should have done but did not do. So the word for you today is: Trust God, and act!
âPerhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.â 1Sa 14:6 NIV
During the early days of Saulâs kingship, the Philistines controlled the western border of Israel, and battle lines were drawn at the pass called Michmash. Saul seemed content to sit on the sidelines, but Jonathan wanted to be on the front line. âCome, letâs go over to the Philistine outpost on the other sideâ (v. 1 NIV). There was only Jonathan and his armor bearer, so the odds didnât look good. But when you make a move that is motivated by Godâs glory, it moves the heart and hand of God. What it requires is a step of faith. And often itâs the longest, hardest, and scariest step youâve ever taken. Usually when Israelâs kings went into battle it was because they had received a word from the Lord assuring their victory. Jonathan had received no such word. He simply said, âPerhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.â Most people operate out of the opposite mentality: âPerhaps the Lord wonât act in our behalf.â They let fear dictate their decisions instead of faith. So they end up with Saul, sitting on the sidelines. And how did the battle turn out for Jonathan and his armor bearer? âSo the Lord rescued Israel that dayâ (v. 23 NIV). All it took was one daring decision! Thatâs all it ever takes. When you move, God will move on your behalf. And if you donât move, youâll always wonder âwhat if?â Our longest regrets are our inaction regretsâthe things we would have, could have, or should have done but did not do. So the word for you today is: Trust God, and act!
God Uses Ordinary People (1)
âYou will be my witnesses.â Ac 1:8 NIV
A witness is someone who sees and experiences an event, then testifies to it in court in a way that convinces others. And thatâs what you have been called to do! You say, âBut I donât feel qualified.â God doesnât call the qualified, He qualifies the called. And donât let Satan convince you otherwise, because he will try. He will tell you God has an IQ requirement, or an entry fee; that He employs only specialists, experts, and high-powered personalities. No, Jesus said to His disciples, âYou will be my witnessesâŠto the ends of the earth.â Youuneducated and simple folk. Youtemperamental net casters and tax collectors. âYou will be my witnesses.â The one thing the disciples had going for them was their willingness to take a step when Jesus said, âFollow me.â So if youâre more plumber than executive, or more blue jeans than blue blood, youâre qualified! âFew of you were wise in the worldâs eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerfulâ (1Co 1:26-27 NLT). So pray: âLord, Youâve called me into Your Kingdom to serve You in this specific place, at this specific time, and for this specific purpose. Despite my ordinariness I belong to Youâand You are anything but ordinary! Today help me to pour out Your grace and compassion upon others, that they too may experience the richness of Your love.â
âYou will be my witnesses.â Ac 1:8 NIV
A witness is someone who sees and experiences an event, then testifies to it in court in a way that convinces others. And thatâs what you have been called to do! You say, âBut I donât feel qualified.â God doesnât call the qualified, He qualifies the called. And donât let Satan convince you otherwise, because he will try. He will tell you God has an IQ requirement, or an entry fee; that He employs only specialists, experts, and high-powered personalities. No, Jesus said to His disciples, âYou will be my witnessesâŠto the ends of the earth.â Youuneducated and simple folk. Youtemperamental net casters and tax collectors. âYou will be my witnesses.â The one thing the disciples had going for them was their willingness to take a step when Jesus said, âFollow me.â So if youâre more plumber than executive, or more blue jeans than blue blood, youâre qualified! âFew of you were wise in the worldâs eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerfulâ (1Co 1:26-27 NLT). So pray: âLord, Youâve called me into Your Kingdom to serve You in this specific place, at this specific time, and for this specific purpose. Despite my ordinariness I belong to Youâand You are anything but ordinary! Today help me to pour out Your grace and compassion upon others, that they too may experience the richness of Your love.â
God Uses Ordinary People (2)
âRememberâŠfew of you were wise in the worldâs eyesâŠwhen God called you.â 1Co 1:26 NLT
Max Lucado writes: âEdith Hayes was a spry eighty-year-old with thinning white hair, a wiry five-foot frame, and an unquenchable compassion for South Floridaâs cancer patients. I was fresh out of seminary in 1979 and sitting in an office of unpacked boxes when she walked in and introduced herself. âMy name is Edith, and I help cancer patients.â She extended her hand. I offered a chair. She politely declined. âToo busy. Youâll see my team here at the church building every Tuesday morning. Youâre welcome to come, but if you do weâll put you to work.â Her team, I came to learn, included a hundred or so silver-haired women who occupied themselves with the unglamorous concern of sore-seepage. They made cancer wounds their mission, stitching together truckloads of disposable pads each Tuesday, and then delivering them to patients throughout the week. Edith rented an alley apartment, lived on her late husbandâs pension, wore glasses that magnified her pupils, and ducked applause like artillery fire.â Edithâs story does away with the excuse, âIâm too old to do something for God.â Noah was over six hundred years old when he came out of the ark and helped to start the human race all over again. If youâre older, think about it this way: Youâre a walking repository of decades of wisdom and knowledge. So before you leave this earth, endeavor to give to others what God has entrusted to you. Right now somebody, somewhere, needs something you have, and if you ask God, He will show you who they are. When He doesâget involved!
âRememberâŠfew of you were wise in the worldâs eyesâŠwhen God called you.â 1Co 1:26 NLT
Max Lucado writes: âEdith Hayes was a spry eighty-year-old with thinning white hair, a wiry five-foot frame, and an unquenchable compassion for South Floridaâs cancer patients. I was fresh out of seminary in 1979 and sitting in an office of unpacked boxes when she walked in and introduced herself. âMy name is Edith, and I help cancer patients.â She extended her hand. I offered a chair. She politely declined. âToo busy. Youâll see my team here at the church building every Tuesday morning. Youâre welcome to come, but if you do weâll put you to work.â Her team, I came to learn, included a hundred or so silver-haired women who occupied themselves with the unglamorous concern of sore-seepage. They made cancer wounds their mission, stitching together truckloads of disposable pads each Tuesday, and then delivering them to patients throughout the week. Edith rented an alley apartment, lived on her late husbandâs pension, wore glasses that magnified her pupils, and ducked applause like artillery fire.â Edithâs story does away with the excuse, âIâm too old to do something for God.â Noah was over six hundred years old when he came out of the ark and helped to start the human race all over again. If youâre older, think about it this way: Youâre a walking repository of decades of wisdom and knowledge. So before you leave this earth, endeavor to give to others what God has entrusted to you. Right now somebody, somewhere, needs something you have, and if you ask God, He will show you who they are. When He doesâget involved!
Keep Pressing On
âStraining toward what is ahead, I press on.â Php 3:13 NIV
Developing your faith is like taking swimming lessons. Observe: (1) Fear is like water; if you let it, it will take you under. (2) You can only tread water for so long before you drown. (3) When you reach a certain point, thereâs no turning back. (4) Faith is like the air in your lungs; it will sustain you and keep you afloat if you just relax. Have you ever watched a seasoned swimmer? Stroke after stroke, he takes whatâs in front of him and pushes it behind him, letting it propel him toward his goal. He literally takes what stands between him and his goal, and uses it to get there. Sometimes we despair and say, âIâm just keeping my head above water,â and thatâs okay as long as you keep âstrokingâ and pressing on. Itâs when you feel backed into a corner with nowhere to turn, that youâve got to take hold of the faith God has placed within you and keep moving forward. Jesus said, âThe kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by forceâ (Mt 11:12). The word âviolenceâ suggests ferocity, passion, and intensity. You must be relentless and fight your way through, confident that God is on your sideâbecause He is (See Ps 56:9). The waters youâre in donât determine your destiny; they either carry you over or take you under. It takes faith to keep going. When you quit, God can do nothing more for you! So today whether youâre doing the breaststroke, the backstroke, or some other kind of stroke that nobodyâs ever heard ofâkeep pressing on.
âStraining toward what is ahead, I press on.â Php 3:13 NIV
Developing your faith is like taking swimming lessons. Observe: (1) Fear is like water; if you let it, it will take you under. (2) You can only tread water for so long before you drown. (3) When you reach a certain point, thereâs no turning back. (4) Faith is like the air in your lungs; it will sustain you and keep you afloat if you just relax. Have you ever watched a seasoned swimmer? Stroke after stroke, he takes whatâs in front of him and pushes it behind him, letting it propel him toward his goal. He literally takes what stands between him and his goal, and uses it to get there. Sometimes we despair and say, âIâm just keeping my head above water,â and thatâs okay as long as you keep âstrokingâ and pressing on. Itâs when you feel backed into a corner with nowhere to turn, that youâve got to take hold of the faith God has placed within you and keep moving forward. Jesus said, âThe kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by forceâ (Mt 11:12). The word âviolenceâ suggests ferocity, passion, and intensity. You must be relentless and fight your way through, confident that God is on your sideâbecause He is (See Ps 56:9). The waters youâre in donât determine your destiny; they either carry you over or take you under. It takes faith to keep going. When you quit, God can do nothing more for you! So today whether youâre doing the breaststroke, the backstroke, or some other kind of stroke that nobodyâs ever heard ofâkeep pressing on.
Sound Financial Advice (1)
âThe wise have wealthâŠbut fools spend whatever they get.â Pr 21:20 NLT
Itâs foolish to buy things you donât need and canât afford, especially when your bills are overdue and youâve nothing set aside for the future. Your financial security is determined by what you owe, not by what you earn! Having to work for years to repay debt severely limits your options. So determine your lifestyle by your actual income, not by what you wish it was or hope it will be. And when you get a raise, donât automatically spend more. The Bible says, âThere isâŠtreasureâŠin the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders itâ (Pr 21:20 NKJV). One of the wisest things you can do today is to start saving for the future, and sowing at least one-tenth of your income into Godâs Kingdom so that youâll have a harvest when you need it (See 2Co 9:6). Author John Kennedy writes: âPeddling Biblically-based financial advice has become a cottage industry. Itâs not that the counsel is new, or that people havenât heard it enough. The fact remainsâŠChristians have racked up debt with no plan for financial accountabilityâŠtheyâre tapped out keeping up with interest payments.â Is your philosophy in life, âWhy wait and save when a credit card will let me have what I want right now?â If youâre buying things you donât need with money you donât have, stop it! Before you purchase anything else, ask yourself if you really need it. And even if you think you do, ask yourself if you can live without it for a while; otherwise youâll become a slave to credit card debt. Hereâs some sound financial advice: Pray for Godâs guidance before you make any nonessential purchase.
âThe wise have wealthâŠbut fools spend whatever they get.â Pr 21:20 NLT
Itâs foolish to buy things you donât need and canât afford, especially when your bills are overdue and youâve nothing set aside for the future. Your financial security is determined by what you owe, not by what you earn! Having to work for years to repay debt severely limits your options. So determine your lifestyle by your actual income, not by what you wish it was or hope it will be. And when you get a raise, donât automatically spend more. The Bible says, âThere isâŠtreasureâŠin the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders itâ (Pr 21:20 NKJV). One of the wisest things you can do today is to start saving for the future, and sowing at least one-tenth of your income into Godâs Kingdom so that youâll have a harvest when you need it (See 2Co 9:6). Author John Kennedy writes: âPeddling Biblically-based financial advice has become a cottage industry. Itâs not that the counsel is new, or that people havenât heard it enough. The fact remainsâŠChristians have racked up debt with no plan for financial accountabilityâŠtheyâre tapped out keeping up with interest payments.â Is your philosophy in life, âWhy wait and save when a credit card will let me have what I want right now?â If youâre buying things you donât need with money you donât have, stop it! Before you purchase anything else, ask yourself if you really need it. And even if you think you do, ask yourself if you can live without it for a while; otherwise youâll become a slave to credit card debt. Hereâs some sound financial advice: Pray for Godâs guidance before you make any nonessential purchase.
Sound Financial Advice (2)
âGatherâŠin the good yearsâŠOtherwise this famine will destroy the land.â Ge 41:35, 36 NLT
Joseph gave Pharaoh some sound financial advice that we would all do well to live by: âGather into the royal storehouses all the excess crops of the next seven yearsâŠthat way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come. Otherwise, disaster will surely strikeâ (vv. 35-36 TLB). And how did Pharaoh respond? âJosephâs suggestions were well received by Pharaohâ (v. 37 TLB). Your future financial security is guaranteed if you practice these three scriptural principles:(1) Tithe. âBring all of the tithes into the storehouseâŠIf you do, says the Lord of Heavenâs Armies, âI will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you wonât have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!ââ (Mal 3:10 NLT). (2) Save.Discipline yourself to invest a percentage of your income in savings. Donât worry that itâs a modest amount, just make it a priority! If you donât, youâll spend it on other things and never achieve your long-term goals for college, retirement, or helping the work of the Lord. (3) Get out of debt. After tithing to God and saving for the future, strive to pay off all your financial obligations. Stop paying the bare minimum on your credit cards. By not repaying them in full every month, you end up paying much more than you should. Put as much as you can toward retiring outstanding debt, even if you have to stretch yourself and do without a few things for a while. In the long run, youâll be way ahead.
âGatherâŠin the good yearsâŠOtherwise this famine will destroy the land.â Ge 41:35, 36 NLT
Joseph gave Pharaoh some sound financial advice that we would all do well to live by: âGather into the royal storehouses all the excess crops of the next seven yearsâŠthat way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come. Otherwise, disaster will surely strikeâ (vv. 35-36 TLB). And how did Pharaoh respond? âJosephâs suggestions were well received by Pharaohâ (v. 37 TLB). Your future financial security is guaranteed if you practice these three scriptural principles:(1) Tithe. âBring all of the tithes into the storehouseâŠIf you do, says the Lord of Heavenâs Armies, âI will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you wonât have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!ââ (Mal 3:10 NLT). (2) Save.Discipline yourself to invest a percentage of your income in savings. Donât worry that itâs a modest amount, just make it a priority! If you donât, youâll spend it on other things and never achieve your long-term goals for college, retirement, or helping the work of the Lord. (3) Get out of debt. After tithing to God and saving for the future, strive to pay off all your financial obligations. Stop paying the bare minimum on your credit cards. By not repaying them in full every month, you end up paying much more than you should. Put as much as you can toward retiring outstanding debt, even if you have to stretch yourself and do without a few things for a while. In the long run, youâll be way ahead.
Sound Financial Advice (3)
âThe godly love to give!â Pr 21:26 NLT
The level of financial blessing God will entrust to you depends on three questions: (1) Are you mature enough to handle it? (2) Are you hoping to reap but unwilling to sow? (3) Are you a hoarder or a giver? God knows we canât all give the same amount. Jesus honored a widow for giving her last two cents, saying: âOthers gave what theyâll never missâŠshe gave her allâ (Mk 12:44 TM). On the other hand, businessman Barnabas âsold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostlesâ feetâ (Ac 4:37 NIV). The more God blesses you with, the more He holds you accountable for. Jesus said, âMuch is required from those to whom much is givenâ (Lk 12:48 TLB). At offering time, a pastor told his congregation to reach out and grab the wallet or purse of the person sitting in front of them. âNow,â he said, âOpen it up and give as much as youâve always wanted to give but felt you couldnât afford!â The truth is, weâre not all called to give equally but weâre all called to sacrifice equally. That levels the playing field. Isnât it interesting how you can go to dinner at the home of somebody who doesnât have a lot, and leave feeling like royalty because of their hospitality? Thatâs because the essence of generosity is self-sacrifice. God entrusts financial blessing to people who arenât controlled by the love of money. How can you tell when youâre controlled by the love of money? Because instead of giving when God tells you to, you withhold. Understand this: When God impresses on you to sow a seed, thereâs a harvest coming your way.
âThe godly love to give!â Pr 21:26 NLT
The level of financial blessing God will entrust to you depends on three questions: (1) Are you mature enough to handle it? (2) Are you hoping to reap but unwilling to sow? (3) Are you a hoarder or a giver? God knows we canât all give the same amount. Jesus honored a widow for giving her last two cents, saying: âOthers gave what theyâll never missâŠshe gave her allâ (Mk 12:44 TM). On the other hand, businessman Barnabas âsold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostlesâ feetâ (Ac 4:37 NIV). The more God blesses you with, the more He holds you accountable for. Jesus said, âMuch is required from those to whom much is givenâ (Lk 12:48 TLB). At offering time, a pastor told his congregation to reach out and grab the wallet or purse of the person sitting in front of them. âNow,â he said, âOpen it up and give as much as youâve always wanted to give but felt you couldnât afford!â The truth is, weâre not all called to give equally but weâre all called to sacrifice equally. That levels the playing field. Isnât it interesting how you can go to dinner at the home of somebody who doesnât have a lot, and leave feeling like royalty because of their hospitality? Thatâs because the essence of generosity is self-sacrifice. God entrusts financial blessing to people who arenât controlled by the love of money. How can you tell when youâre controlled by the love of money? Because instead of giving when God tells you to, you withhold. Understand this: When God impresses on you to sow a seed, thereâs a harvest coming your way.
What Are Your Strengths?
âGod has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.â Ro 12:6 TLB
Paul writes: âJust as our bodies have many parts and eachâŠhas a special functionâŠWe are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each otherâŠGod has given us different gifts for doing certain things wellâ (vv. 4-6 NLT). Dr. John Maxwell recommends that you work where youâre strongest 80 percent of the time, where youâre learning 15 percent of the time, and where youâreweakest 5 percent of the time. So, what are your strengths? To find the answer to that question, you must: (1) Be secure. If you allow your insecurities to get the better of you, youâll become inflexible and resistant to change. And if you donât change you wonât grow. (2) Get to know yourself. Spend time exploring your gifts, ask for feedback and receive it, and be honest about your blind spots. (3) Trust your leader. If you canât trust the person youâre following, you should look for someone you can trust, or get on another team. (4) See the big picture.Your place on any team only makes sense in the context of the big picture. If your sole reason for finding your niche is personal gain, your wrong motives will rob you of the very joy, fulfillment, and success you desire. (5) Rely on your experience. The only way to know youâve discovered your niche is to try things, take risks, learn from your failures and successes, and discover what God has gifted you to do.
âGod has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.â Ro 12:6 TLB
Paul writes: âJust as our bodies have many parts and eachâŠhas a special functionâŠWe are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each otherâŠGod has given us different gifts for doing certain things wellâ (vv. 4-6 NLT). Dr. John Maxwell recommends that you work where youâre strongest 80 percent of the time, where youâre learning 15 percent of the time, and where youâreweakest 5 percent of the time. So, what are your strengths? To find the answer to that question, you must: (1) Be secure. If you allow your insecurities to get the better of you, youâll become inflexible and resistant to change. And if you donât change you wonât grow. (2) Get to know yourself. Spend time exploring your gifts, ask for feedback and receive it, and be honest about your blind spots. (3) Trust your leader. If you canât trust the person youâre following, you should look for someone you can trust, or get on another team. (4) See the big picture.Your place on any team only makes sense in the context of the big picture. If your sole reason for finding your niche is personal gain, your wrong motives will rob you of the very joy, fulfillment, and success you desire. (5) Rely on your experience. The only way to know youâve discovered your niche is to try things, take risks, learn from your failures and successes, and discover what God has gifted you to do.
The Importance Of Self-Discipline
âLearn to sense what is vitalâŠand of real value.â Php 1:10 AMPC
To achieve greater self-discipline, you should: (1) Start your day by doing the hard things first. And when you get sidetracked, make yourself go back and complete them. For example, make your bed, pick up your clothes, and wash the dishes; donât make extra work for others. And donât start several projects at once; the feeling of âgetting something doneâ will help you grow in self-respect and self-discipline. (2) Make a commitment to be punctual. Tardiness is a hard habit to break. To conquer it you must be willing to call it what it often isâinconsiderate, selfish behavior. (3) Plan ahead. Everything takes longer than you think, so donât wait until the last minute and then rush around like a chicken with its head cut off. âLiving under the gunâ can give you ulcers, whereas allowing extra time is good for your health and peace of mind. (4) Accept correction from those who care about you, without sulking or retaliating. Until youâre willing to take correction, youâll never be qualified to give it. The Bible says, âWisdom is found in those who take adviceâ (Pr 13:10 NIV), so if youâre wise youâll welcome feedback and seek counsel. Gandhi once said, âThereâs always a limit to self-indulgence, but none to self-restraint.â Ask God to help you control your unruly thoughts, feelings, desires, and behaviors. Identify the unmanageable areas in your life, stop making excuses, face the truth even if it hurts, refuse to feel sorry for yourself, and set a few attainable goals. In other words: âLearn to sense what is vitalâŠand of real value.â
âLearn to sense what is vitalâŠand of real value.â Php 1:10 AMPC
To achieve greater self-discipline, you should: (1) Start your day by doing the hard things first. And when you get sidetracked, make yourself go back and complete them. For example, make your bed, pick up your clothes, and wash the dishes; donât make extra work for others. And donât start several projects at once; the feeling of âgetting something doneâ will help you grow in self-respect and self-discipline. (2) Make a commitment to be punctual. Tardiness is a hard habit to break. To conquer it you must be willing to call it what it often isâinconsiderate, selfish behavior. (3) Plan ahead. Everything takes longer than you think, so donât wait until the last minute and then rush around like a chicken with its head cut off. âLiving under the gunâ can give you ulcers, whereas allowing extra time is good for your health and peace of mind. (4) Accept correction from those who care about you, without sulking or retaliating. Until youâre willing to take correction, youâll never be qualified to give it. The Bible says, âWisdom is found in those who take adviceâ (Pr 13:10 NIV), so if youâre wise youâll welcome feedback and seek counsel. Gandhi once said, âThereâs always a limit to self-indulgence, but none to self-restraint.â Ask God to help you control your unruly thoughts, feelings, desires, and behaviors. Identify the unmanageable areas in your life, stop making excuses, face the truth even if it hurts, refuse to feel sorry for yourself, and set a few attainable goals. In other words: âLearn to sense what is vitalâŠand of real value.â
Dealing With Depression
âYour wordsâŠwere my joy and my heartâs delight.â Jer 15:16 NIV
People in Bible times dealt with depression too. Elijah said, âI have had enough, LordâŠTake my lifeâ (1Ki 19:4 NIV). Job said, âI loathe my very lifeâ (Job 10:1 NIV). David wrote, âMy soul is downcastâ (Ps 42:6 NIV). Now, when youâre clinically depressed you should seek professional help. But the kind of depression weâre talking about here is when your motivation is drained, your desire to pursue God is gone, your conversations have turned sour, youâre blind to your blessings, your enthusiasm is forced, and youâre in a daze regarding the future. Here are some possible causes: (1) Sin. Sin is like a stone in your shoe; youâll have no peace until you get it out. No vacation, job change, relationship change, or doctor will heal it. But the blood of Jesus will cleanse it (See 1Jn 1:7). (2) Greed. King Ahabâs obsession with owning Nabothâs vineyard made him miserable and affected his entire family (See 1Ki 21:4).(3) Comparisons. Constantly comparing yourself to others will depress you (See 2Co 10:12). (4) Speaking negatively. âThe tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequencesâ (Pr 18:21 NLT). (5) Fatigue. Jesus called His disciples aside to rest. Why? Because He recognized that when fatigue walks in, faith walks out (See Mk 6:31). (6) Unforgiveness. When you refuse to forgive someone, you carry them like an albatross around your neck. So whatâs the remedy for depression? Often it starts with prayer and Bible reading. Jeremiah, who battled depression, wrote, âWhen your words came, I ate themâŠthey were my joy and my heartâs delight.â
âYour wordsâŠwere my joy and my heartâs delight.â Jer 15:16 NIV
People in Bible times dealt with depression too. Elijah said, âI have had enough, LordâŠTake my lifeâ (1Ki 19:4 NIV). Job said, âI loathe my very lifeâ (Job 10:1 NIV). David wrote, âMy soul is downcastâ (Ps 42:6 NIV). Now, when youâre clinically depressed you should seek professional help. But the kind of depression weâre talking about here is when your motivation is drained, your desire to pursue God is gone, your conversations have turned sour, youâre blind to your blessings, your enthusiasm is forced, and youâre in a daze regarding the future. Here are some possible causes: (1) Sin. Sin is like a stone in your shoe; youâll have no peace until you get it out. No vacation, job change, relationship change, or doctor will heal it. But the blood of Jesus will cleanse it (See 1Jn 1:7). (2) Greed. King Ahabâs obsession with owning Nabothâs vineyard made him miserable and affected his entire family (See 1Ki 21:4).(3) Comparisons. Constantly comparing yourself to others will depress you (See 2Co 10:12). (4) Speaking negatively. âThe tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequencesâ (Pr 18:21 NLT). (5) Fatigue. Jesus called His disciples aside to rest. Why? Because He recognized that when fatigue walks in, faith walks out (See Mk 6:31). (6) Unforgiveness. When you refuse to forgive someone, you carry them like an albatross around your neck. So whatâs the remedy for depression? Often it starts with prayer and Bible reading. Jeremiah, who battled depression, wrote, âWhen your words came, I ate themâŠthey were my joy and my heartâs delight.â
Seven Seconds (1)
âLet your lightâŠshine before men.â Mt 5:16 NKJV
Jesus said, âLet your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.â When youâre in darkness, you see the light before you see the carrier of the light, right? The old saying, âFirst impressions are lasting impressions,â is true. One communications expert says: âYouâve got just seven seconds to make the right first impression. As soon as you make your entrance, you broadcast verbal and nonverbal signals that determine how others see you. In business those crucial first seven seconds can decide whether you win that new account, or succeed in a tense negotiation. Are you confident? Comfortable? Sincere? Glad to be there? In that first seven seconds you shower your audience with subtle âclues.â And whether people realize it or not, they respond immediately to your facial expressions, gestures, stance, and energy. They react to your voiceâthe tone and pitch. Audiences, whether one or one hundred, instinctively size up your motives and attitudes.â Whether youâre speaking, selling, interviewing, or dating, your appearance, attitude, and approach make all the difference in the world. People can tell a lot in seven seconds. They may decide they donât want to hear anything you have to say, or they may be struck by how much theyâre drawn to you. Henry Ward Beecher said: âThere are persons so radiant, so genial, so kind, so pleasure-bearing, that you instinctively feel in their presence that they do you good, whose coming into a room is like bringing a shining lamp there.â
âLet your lightâŠshine before men.â Mt 5:16 NKJV
Jesus said, âLet your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.â When youâre in darkness, you see the light before you see the carrier of the light, right? The old saying, âFirst impressions are lasting impressions,â is true. One communications expert says: âYouâve got just seven seconds to make the right first impression. As soon as you make your entrance, you broadcast verbal and nonverbal signals that determine how others see you. In business those crucial first seven seconds can decide whether you win that new account, or succeed in a tense negotiation. Are you confident? Comfortable? Sincere? Glad to be there? In that first seven seconds you shower your audience with subtle âclues.â And whether people realize it or not, they respond immediately to your facial expressions, gestures, stance, and energy. They react to your voiceâthe tone and pitch. Audiences, whether one or one hundred, instinctively size up your motives and attitudes.â Whether youâre speaking, selling, interviewing, or dating, your appearance, attitude, and approach make all the difference in the world. People can tell a lot in seven seconds. They may decide they donât want to hear anything you have to say, or they may be struck by how much theyâre drawn to you. Henry Ward Beecher said: âThere are persons so radiant, so genial, so kind, so pleasure-bearing, that you instinctively feel in their presence that they do you good, whose coming into a room is like bringing a shining lamp there.â
Seven Seconds (2)
âWho is wiseâŠamong you? Let him show it byâŠwisdom.â Jas 3:13 NIV
In the first seven seconds people often decide if they do or do not want to hear what you have to say. It may not be fairâbut itâs a fact. In How to Talk So People Listen, communication expert Sonya Hamlin says when it comes to hearing and seeing, sight is the more important and powerful sense. She writes: âWe remember 85 to 90 percent of what we see, but less than 15 percent of what we hear. Countless numbers of people have lost sales opportunities, ruined job interviews, or been turned down for dates because their appearance didnât match someone elseâs expectations. If youâre wise youâll ask your family and friends if youâre inclined to display nonverbal cues that capture their attention and take the focus off what youâre trying to communicate.â One pastor says: âI never realized how many nonverbal mistakes I was making until I saw myself on video. Now itâs my regular practice to go back and watch myself to determine not only what I said, but also how I said it. The tape doesnât lie.â Great actors can tell a story without saying a word, simply by using facial expressions. And whether you are aware of it or not, you convey a message by the expression on your face. Even people who pride themselves on âplaying with a poker face,â and on their ability to not let other people know what theyâre really thinking, convey an unspoken message of detachment. And that makes meaningful connection with other people well-nigh impossible. If your face is going to âtalkââand it isâmake sure youâre communicating the right thing.
âWho is wiseâŠamong you? Let him show it byâŠwisdom.â Jas 3:13 NIV
In the first seven seconds people often decide if they do or do not want to hear what you have to say. It may not be fairâbut itâs a fact. In How to Talk So People Listen, communication expert Sonya Hamlin says when it comes to hearing and seeing, sight is the more important and powerful sense. She writes: âWe remember 85 to 90 percent of what we see, but less than 15 percent of what we hear. Countless numbers of people have lost sales opportunities, ruined job interviews, or been turned down for dates because their appearance didnât match someone elseâs expectations. If youâre wise youâll ask your family and friends if youâre inclined to display nonverbal cues that capture their attention and take the focus off what youâre trying to communicate.â One pastor says: âI never realized how many nonverbal mistakes I was making until I saw myself on video. Now itâs my regular practice to go back and watch myself to determine not only what I said, but also how I said it. The tape doesnât lie.â Great actors can tell a story without saying a word, simply by using facial expressions. And whether you are aware of it or not, you convey a message by the expression on your face. Even people who pride themselves on âplaying with a poker face,â and on their ability to not let other people know what theyâre really thinking, convey an unspoken message of detachment. And that makes meaningful connection with other people well-nigh impossible. If your face is going to âtalkââand it isâmake sure youâre communicating the right thing.
Seven Seconds (3)
âI am the good shepherd.â Jn 10:11
You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Your message may be wonderful and much needed by the hearer, but the look on your face can turn people off before you open your mouth. Ever notice how many people have bad memories of growing up in church? They recall stern, severe, strange-looking people who passed condemnation on the world at large. What a disservice to God! A little girl once saw a mule looking over a fence. Patting him on the head, she said, âItâs okay; my aunt is religious too!â Jesus said, âI am the good shepherd.â The word âgoodâ comes from the Greek wordkelos, which means âwinsomeâ [attractive, pleasant, engaging]. Jesusâ attitude won people over every time!What we say accounts for 7 percent of what people believe. How we say it accounts for 38 percent. What they seeaccounts for 55 percent. Amazingly, more than 90 percent of the nonverbal cues we give off have nothing to do with what we actually say! So if you think communication is just about words, youâre missing the boat, and the chances are youâll have a hard time connecting with others. A member of his staff once asked Abraham Lincoln to give a friend of his a job. After interviewing the man, Lincoln turned him down. Asked why, he replied, âBecause I didnât like the look on his face.â The White House staffer protested, âThatâs not fair! Nobodyâs responsible for the look on their face.â Lincoln replied, âThatâs where youâre wrong. Everyone over forty is responsible for the look on their face.â SoâŠwhat does your facial expression say to others?
âI am the good shepherd.â Jn 10:11
You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Your message may be wonderful and much needed by the hearer, but the look on your face can turn people off before you open your mouth. Ever notice how many people have bad memories of growing up in church? They recall stern, severe, strange-looking people who passed condemnation on the world at large. What a disservice to God! A little girl once saw a mule looking over a fence. Patting him on the head, she said, âItâs okay; my aunt is religious too!â Jesus said, âI am the good shepherd.â The word âgoodâ comes from the Greek wordkelos, which means âwinsomeâ [attractive, pleasant, engaging]. Jesusâ attitude won people over every time!What we say accounts for 7 percent of what people believe. How we say it accounts for 38 percent. What they seeaccounts for 55 percent. Amazingly, more than 90 percent of the nonverbal cues we give off have nothing to do with what we actually say! So if you think communication is just about words, youâre missing the boat, and the chances are youâll have a hard time connecting with others. A member of his staff once asked Abraham Lincoln to give a friend of his a job. After interviewing the man, Lincoln turned him down. Asked why, he replied, âBecause I didnât like the look on his face.â The White House staffer protested, âThatâs not fair! Nobodyâs responsible for the look on their face.â Lincoln replied, âThatâs where youâre wrong. Everyone over forty is responsible for the look on their face.â SoâŠwhat does your facial expression say to others?
Handling Panic Attacks
âDo not be afraid of sudden fear.â Pr 3:25 NAS
In the Bible panic attacks are referred to as âsudden fear.â You canât breathe, your palms sweat, your chest gets tight, and you feel weak. If youâve ever experienced a panic attack, youâll recognize these symptoms. Doctors estimate that in our stress-filled world, about a third of us experience at least one panic attack a year. If you are one of them, here are some things you can do to help yourself:(1) Breathe deeply. Panic makes you breathe in short shallow bursts, whereas breathing deeply helps to calm and relax you. So when you start to feel overwhelmed, stop and breathe the name of Jesus. Try it; it works! (2) Talk to yourself. Say, âBy Godâs grace I can handle thisâ (See 2Co 12:9). If you respond with more panic youâll just end up in double trouble. Allowing yourself to feel panic without reacting to it may sound difficult at first, but it helps you break the cycle and take control of your thinking. (3) Do something calming. This may be the last thing you feel like doing, because panic attacks make you instinctively think thoughts that feed your fear. So take a minute and whisper a prayer, quote a Scripture, listen to inspirational music, or talk to a friend. And if your panic attacks continue, thereâs no shame in getting professional help. After all, itâs God who gives doctors the skills and abilities to intervene. Hereâs a Scripture you should write down and keep handy: âYou can go to bed without fearâŠand sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disasterâŠfor the Lord is your securityâ (Pr 3:24-26 NLT).
âDo not be afraid of sudden fear.â Pr 3:25 NAS
In the Bible panic attacks are referred to as âsudden fear.â You canât breathe, your palms sweat, your chest gets tight, and you feel weak. If youâve ever experienced a panic attack, youâll recognize these symptoms. Doctors estimate that in our stress-filled world, about a third of us experience at least one panic attack a year. If you are one of them, here are some things you can do to help yourself:(1) Breathe deeply. Panic makes you breathe in short shallow bursts, whereas breathing deeply helps to calm and relax you. So when you start to feel overwhelmed, stop and breathe the name of Jesus. Try it; it works! (2) Talk to yourself. Say, âBy Godâs grace I can handle thisâ (See 2Co 12:9). If you respond with more panic youâll just end up in double trouble. Allowing yourself to feel panic without reacting to it may sound difficult at first, but it helps you break the cycle and take control of your thinking. (3) Do something calming. This may be the last thing you feel like doing, because panic attacks make you instinctively think thoughts that feed your fear. So take a minute and whisper a prayer, quote a Scripture, listen to inspirational music, or talk to a friend. And if your panic attacks continue, thereâs no shame in getting professional help. After all, itâs God who gives doctors the skills and abilities to intervene. Hereâs a Scripture you should write down and keep handy: âYou can go to bed without fearâŠand sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disasterâŠfor the Lord is your securityâ (Pr 3:24-26 NLT).
Where Are You Living Today?
âTo Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or thinkâŠbe gloryâŠforever.â Eph 3:20-21 NKJV
Israelâs journey from Egypt to the Promised Land illustrates three different places you can choose to live: (1) The place of ânot enough.â As slaves in Egypt they were forced to depend on Pharaoh for everything. And when you have to keep relying on anyone but God, youâre not truly free. Until you understand that God is your provider, youâll live with a ânot enoughâ mentality. Elijah was living by a stream in the middle of a famine, and ravens brought him meat each day. Then one day the ravens didnât show up, and the brook dried up. Why? God dried up a temporary source to drive Elijah back to his true source. Understand this: Regardless of what or whom He usesâGod is your source. He is called âJehovah Jireh,â which means âthe Lordwill provide.â (2) The place of âjust enough.â In the wilderness Israel had just enough manna for each day. Itâs no fun struggling to just get by. But we appreciate what we have to struggle for, and we learn to trust God more. Plus, living through such seasons builds into us a tenacity to keep moving toward better things. (3) The place of âmore than enough.â Godâs plan for Israel was âa land in which youâŠwill lack nothingâ (Dt 8:9 NKJV). And His goal for you is abundance in every area of life (See 2Co 9:8 NIV). Is that so you can hoard it? No, itâs so you can bless others and fulfill your assignment in life. So stand on this Scripture: âTo Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in usâŠbe gloryâŠforever.â
âTo Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or thinkâŠbe gloryâŠforever.â Eph 3:20-21 NKJV
Israelâs journey from Egypt to the Promised Land illustrates three different places you can choose to live: (1) The place of ânot enough.â As slaves in Egypt they were forced to depend on Pharaoh for everything. And when you have to keep relying on anyone but God, youâre not truly free. Until you understand that God is your provider, youâll live with a ânot enoughâ mentality. Elijah was living by a stream in the middle of a famine, and ravens brought him meat each day. Then one day the ravens didnât show up, and the brook dried up. Why? God dried up a temporary source to drive Elijah back to his true source. Understand this: Regardless of what or whom He usesâGod is your source. He is called âJehovah Jireh,â which means âthe Lordwill provide.â (2) The place of âjust enough.â In the wilderness Israel had just enough manna for each day. Itâs no fun struggling to just get by. But we appreciate what we have to struggle for, and we learn to trust God more. Plus, living through such seasons builds into us a tenacity to keep moving toward better things. (3) The place of âmore than enough.â Godâs plan for Israel was âa land in which youâŠwill lack nothingâ (Dt 8:9 NKJV). And His goal for you is abundance in every area of life (See 2Co 9:8 NIV). Is that so you can hoard it? No, itâs so you can bless others and fulfill your assignment in life. So stand on this Scripture: âTo Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in usâŠbe gloryâŠforever.â
Remember Those Who Have Helped You
âYou sent help more than once.â Php 4:16 NLT
Charles Swindoll tells the story of the giving tree: âWhen the boy was young he swung from the treeâs branches, ate her apples, and slept in her shadeâŠBut as he grew up he spent less and less time with the tree. âCome on, letâs play,â said the tree. But the young man was only interested in money. âThen take all my apples and sell them,â said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy. He didnât return for a long time, but the tree smiled when he passed by one day. âCome on, letâs play!â But the man, older and tired of the world, wanted to get away from it all. âCut me down. Take my trunk, make a boat, then you can sail away,â said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy. Many seasons passedâand the tree waited. Finally the man returned, too old to play, or pursue riches, or sail the seas. âI have a pretty good stump left. Sit down here and rest,â said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy.â Swindoll continues: âI stared into the fire, reviewing my life as I grew older with the tree and the boy. I identified with bothâand it hurt. How many giving trees have there been? How many people have given themselves so I might grow, accomplish my goals, and find wholeness and satisfaction? Thank you, Lord, for each one. That night I crawled into bed. I had wept, now I was smiling. âGood night, Lord.â I was a humble man. Thankful Iâd taken time to reflect.â Paul remembered those who helped himâand so should you.
âYou sent help more than once.â Php 4:16 NLT
Charles Swindoll tells the story of the giving tree: âWhen the boy was young he swung from the treeâs branches, ate her apples, and slept in her shadeâŠBut as he grew up he spent less and less time with the tree. âCome on, letâs play,â said the tree. But the young man was only interested in money. âThen take all my apples and sell them,â said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy. He didnât return for a long time, but the tree smiled when he passed by one day. âCome on, letâs play!â But the man, older and tired of the world, wanted to get away from it all. âCut me down. Take my trunk, make a boat, then you can sail away,â said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy. Many seasons passedâand the tree waited. Finally the man returned, too old to play, or pursue riches, or sail the seas. âI have a pretty good stump left. Sit down here and rest,â said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy.â Swindoll continues: âI stared into the fire, reviewing my life as I grew older with the tree and the boy. I identified with bothâand it hurt. How many giving trees have there been? How many people have given themselves so I might grow, accomplish my goals, and find wholeness and satisfaction? Thank you, Lord, for each one. That night I crawled into bed. I had wept, now I was smiling. âGood night, Lord.â I was a humble man. Thankful Iâd taken time to reflect.â Paul remembered those who helped himâand so should you.
What Is Christmas All About?
âNothingâŠcan separate us from Godâs love.â Ro 8:39 CEV
That first Christmas, God did something extraordinary. Max Lucado puts it this way: âStepping 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 cowâs hay. Mary didnât know whether to give Him milk or give him praise, so she gave Him bothâsince He was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy. Joseph didnât know whether to call Him junior or father. But in the end he called Him Jesus, since thatâs what the angel said, and since he didnât have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms.â Lucado continues: âDonât you think their heads tilted and their minds wondered, âWhat in the world are You doing, God?â Or better phrased, âGod, what are You doing in the world?â âCan anything make Me stop loving you?â God asks. âYou wonder how long My love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. Thatâs Me you see up there, your Maker, your GodâŠThatâs how much I love you.ââ Paul asks, âCan anything separate us from the love of Christ?â (v. 35 CEV). Then he answers his own question: âNothing can separate us from Godâs loveânot 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 Godâs loveâ (vv. 38-39 CEV). And thatâs what Christmas is all about!
âNothingâŠcan separate us from Godâs love.â Ro 8:39 CEV
That first Christmas, God did something extraordinary. Max Lucado puts it this way: âStepping 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 cowâs hay. Mary didnât know whether to give Him milk or give him praise, so she gave Him bothâsince He was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy. Joseph didnât know whether to call Him junior or father. But in the end he called Him Jesus, since thatâs what the angel said, and since he didnât have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms.â Lucado continues: âDonât you think their heads tilted and their minds wondered, âWhat in the world are You doing, God?â Or better phrased, âGod, what are You doing in the world?â âCan anything make Me stop loving you?â God asks. âYou wonder how long My love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. Thatâs Me you see up there, your Maker, your GodâŠThatâs how much I love you.ââ Paul asks, âCan anything separate us from the love of Christ?â (v. 35 CEV). Then he answers his own question: âNothing can separate us from Godâs loveânot 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 Godâs loveâ (vv. 38-39 CEV). And thatâs what Christmas is all about!
If Christ Had Not Come
âBehold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.â Jn 1:29
Scholars disagree as to the exact date of Christâs birth. Nor do they know if the Church of the Nativity thatâs 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 hereâs the good news: You donât have to know when, where, or how Jesus was born, you just need to know why. âFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting lifeâ (Jn 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 âJehovah saves!â John the Baptist called Him âthe Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.â (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 âunderstands 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 mostâ (Heb 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
âBehold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.â Jn 1:29
Scholars disagree as to the exact date of Christâs birth. Nor do they know if the Church of the Nativity thatâs 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 hereâs the good news: You donât have to know when, where, or how Jesus was born, you just need to know why. âFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting lifeâ (Jn 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 âJehovah saves!â John the Baptist called Him âthe Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.â (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 âunderstands 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 mostâ (Heb 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