What Will the New Year Hold?

Most people think of a new year as a fresh opportunity to get a better job, make more money, or improve personal relationships within the family or workplace. Sometimes the focus is on personal development, weight loss, or attitude changes. All of these have one thing in common. They focus on self.

Jesus challenged his disciples and us to have a different focus. In John 4:31-35 the disciples displayed the same inward focus that is common in man today. They spoke among themselves asking, "hath any man brought him anything to eat?" Jesus was speaking of spiritual nourishment and they were thinking of physical food. We are reminded of Jesus instruction in Matthew 6:25, "Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than food and the body than raiment?" These are the things we tend to think about rather than the spiritual dimension.

Jesus helped his disciples to get the new focus as he painted the picture of the fields being white unto harvest and called for laborers to go in and reap that harvest. Further, He challenged them with this thought: "My food is to do the will of him that sent me.." God has a purpose for each of us today and in the year ahead. It is not to gather material things or gain personally. It is to adopt his vision of folks all around us being drawn into his kingdom. The new year may include successes and failures, but they will all pale in comparison to the work God has for each of us to do. What new ministry for the Lord will your new year hold? Ask him and He will show you.

Facing the Future

In these times of terrorism and seemingly unleashed moral wickedness there are many who fear the future. As a grandfather I find myself wondering what the world will be like as my grandchildren grow up and have families of their own. In the midst of all this chaos we can turn to God's Word for reassurance.

In 2 Kings 6:15-17 the servant of Elisha was confronted with a scene that brought fear and panic regarding the future. The scripture says, "when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, 'Alas, my master! What shall we do?'" The servant saw only the unbearable obstacles of the enemy. According to Sunshine magazine "obstacles are those frightening things you see when you take your eyes off the goal." The servant of Elisha had forgotten the goal and promise of God. When we only see the obstacles we need a reminder of our resources.

Elisha gave his servant what may seem like unbelievable counsel. He said, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." That may have seemed ridiculous to the servant based on what his human eyes could see but then Elisha prayed saying, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." In response scripture tells us that the Lord did open the servant's eyes to see that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding the enemy. Further, Elisha prayed that the enemy would be struck with blindness and they were. Once God was considered as part of the picture the obstacles shrunk in comparison to his provision.

We can enjoy the same resources that Elisha had. God does not intend for us to face the future alone. He wants us to draw upon him for our needs. We are told in Timothy that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a strong mind. These days may hold known and unknown obstacles but we can move ahead with confidence that God's resources are greater than the obstacles.

Looking Back and Ahead

In just a few days we will enter January which gets its name from a god of doorways. Depictions of that god usually show a two-headed figure with one head facing back and the other facing forward. Usually at this time people begin to look back at the year being completed to evaluate their lives and attempt to make changes as they look ahead to the new year. We call the process making new year's resolutions.

In Jeremiah 6:16 we find the Lord encouraging a spiritual evaluation. He says, "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you shall find rest for your souls. Over time Israel had departed from the ways God had set before them. We have the same problem both as a nation and as individuals. However, our evaluation should take place daily not just at the year's end or at a time of crisis.

We need to understand what the "old paths" and the "good way" is. May I suggest that these terms may refer to the daily dependence Israel had upon God. In their journey from slavery in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land their success depended on following God's leadership and recognizing God's presence. This is the path we should be on. As we look back over the year, if our journey has led us away from a life committed to him we must reset our course. If He hasn't even been a part of our life, then now is the time to enter the path that leads to life eternal.

You've Got Mail

One of the great parts of any day is the arrival of the mail. This has been especially true during the Christmas season. Family and friends often send a card or letter updating everyone on the events of the year and the life progress of people we love. Often pictures are included that cause us to marvel at the changes that are taking place as our acquaintances grow up and get older. As the days go by further contact comes in the form of an occasional letter, postcard and by e-mail.

Another means of communication that we all enjoy is the phone. In an instant we can hear the voices of friends and family anywhere in the world. Most every home has a phone and many individuals carry a cell phone with them all the time. When the nature of our activities prevent an actual phone call the text message comes through. We just must stay up to date. We are certainly people who love communication.

We've got mail of another kind as well. God has communicated to us through his word, the Bible. He desires a constant interaction with each of us. Some parts of the Bible are just to let us know how other "family members" have fared in life. For example, in I Corinthians 10 God tells about the adventures of Israel as they travelled to the promised land. He tells us "these things were written for our example." Just as we hope our children will learn from the good and poor examples of those who have gone before, so God shares with us the good and the bad of those who have faced life's trials before us. He desires that we avoid the pitfalls of others and make wiser choices for our own lives. Then after John has shared with us the life of Christ he tells us in John 20:3 that "these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." God's ultimate purpose in writing to us is to make sure we know all that is needed to choose his Son as our Savior and enjoy eternal life.

Have you opened your mail from God recently? He wants to guide you through the events of the family down through the years and he wants to draw you into a relationship with himself through the life and ministry of his Son Jesus. Listen. You've got mail!

Sharing Our Christmas Gifts

What did you get for Christmas? Would you share it with me? Probably, we really wouldn't expect to share our material Christmas gifts, but we must be prepared to share the gifts God has given us.

After hearing a lesson on the significance of giving gifts a young native boy came to the missionary teacher a few days later and said, "I want you to have this." He pulled from a straw basket the most beautiful shell the missionary had ever seen. She recognized it as a special shell only found on the far side of the island, a half day's walk from the village. When she asked the boy about this, he smiled and said, "Long walk part of gift!"

Jesus "travelled" from his heavenly home all the way to this planet to present himself as God's gift to us. Having done so, He continues to give of himself to us daily. I can't imagine the missionary throwing aside the shell brought to her with apathy or rejection. However, many will do just that with God's gift of Jesus. It is up to each of us to recognize that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Will you receive that gift today?

Having accepted God's gift and become a part of his family, we become the extension of his giving. God tells us in I Peter, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." Today many will thrill to the giving of gifts to family, neighbors and friends. The greatest gift we can give is the gift of our faith and the grace that God offers. Let's share our Christmas gifts from God with everyone around us.

Merry Christmas to all. May God bless your day.

Responding to Christmas

Christmas brings forth a variety of responses in today's world. Faithful believers celebrate and rejoice. The world focuses on lights, decorations and gifts with little understanding of what is being celebrated. The atheist and agnostic labors feverishly to turn Christmas into xmas. Sometimes we catch ourselves wishing the response to Christmas could be the way it used to be. Actually, it is! The responses today are no different then they were at that first Christmas.

In Matthew 2:3 we read, "And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." The mention of the birth of a king troubled some of those in the world to which Christ came. They were afraid of change, particularly in their lives. They did not want someone to whom they would be responsible. The efforts of Herod to destroy Jesus are based on the same denial as the efforts to remove Christ and Christmas from view today. People just do not want to submit to God.

In verse 4 of the same chapter we read, "And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he (Herod) began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born." He learned from them that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem. The interesting thing is that the religious community was not even curious about the report of Jesus' arrival. They took no action to seek him for themselves. There was no real excitement that stirred within them. They fulfilled the prophecy, "Who has believed our report?" Like many today who decorate, party and carry out pageantry without understanding the meaning of Christmas, they continued on in their meaningless activities. They ignored the One who had come to bring meaning to life and eternity.

Only in those who were willing to humble themselves - Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men - do we find the response God seeks from us. Each in his own turn accepted the working of God in their lives through his Son. It is those today who have humbled themselves before God, confessed their own need and received God's gift of salvation in Christ who truly understand Christmas. They join the worshipers of that first Christmas in a relationship with the God-Man of Christmas. How have you responded?

No Limit Living

My older grandkids prefer to get the "green stuff" (cash) even more than a gift card whenever a gift is due. They want to be able to spend it wherever they chooses rather than at a particular store. I'm sure we have all received a gift card or gift certificate for some place or service that we really would never choose. We would have preferred a gift that had no limits.

God has given a gift that is unlimited. In chapter one of Paul's letter to the Corinthians he indicates that believers do not lack any spiritual gift. I have found that God always provides the ability to accomplish anything He asks us to do. We have the unlimited resources of God at our disposal for living and serving. Paul also shared that we have unlimited strength. He says, "God will keep you strong to the end." Most of us can identify with having run out of steam especially during the busy season of the year from Thanksgiving to New Years. Spiritually there is no end to the strength available. Elsewhere Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Finally, Paul tells us that we have unlimited access to a faithful God. In these days when it seems that everyone is busily going his own separate way and no one seems to have time for others, it is refreshing to be reminded that God is always available.

These gifts of no limit living are all made available to us through God's gift of Jesus. He came that we might be made the heirs of all God has, so that we could enjoy the strength of his power within, and so that we could have access to his grace at all times. It's like getting a blank check. With Christ there is no limit to real living.

Words of Wisdom

Wisdom seems to be a little possessed but much sought after quality. People pursue it in various places. Some turn to "professionals" on TV and elsewhere for advice. Others read "how to" books. Many earn degree after degree at colleges. While all of these sources may provide information the desired wisdom may still be elusive. Wisdom is the use of knowledge in a right way.

The wise men of Christmas give us examples of wisdom. They had information about the coming of Jesus. Unlike many around them who carried on life as usual, the lives of the wise men were changed by this knowledge as it revealed itself in wisdom. First they became seekers of this One they had heard about. They watched for and then followed his star until they found him. Then they recognized his nature as King and Redeemer as evidenced by their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Finally, they demonstrated their dependence on his word as they followed his warning and returned home avoiding a report to Herod.

If we seek wisdom the scripture advises us to look above. God is the provider of wisdom. He has given us a great example in the activity of the wise men of Christmas. Knowing about God is not enough. We must become seekers of God. We must recognize and confess who He is. Then we must become those who live in dependence on him. When we apply these words of wisdom lived out by the wise men we too will be wise.

The Last Shall Be First

Often I like to cheer for the underdog. It is exciting when a person or team that doesn't stand a chance and is totally unknown begins to be noticed. When my wife and I were houseparents at a children's home there was an in-care boy who was unmannerly, disobedient and unproductive. His family had discarded him and he seemed to have no promise. Then something happened in his life to change everything. He settled down, studied hard, went on to college and after graduating became the regional director for a very well known Christian ministry.

That boy experienced the same thing the unknown shepherds of Christmas experienced. The voice of the Lord came to them. The shepherds were the underdogs of society. They had a life that was looked down on by those around them. But God seeks the lowly to use in his work. When the angel appeared to them they listened. Immediately they focused their priorities on seeing and worshipping Jesus. After visiting him they shared the good news they had heard with everyone around them.

God has not changed. He still seeks out those who seem to be unimportant and unknown. It is in them that he can work and receive the glory due to his name. Yesterday in our school chapel we heard from a man who had spent seventeen years of his life shuffling from prison to prison. Then he met Jesus and his life has been transformed. He has his own business but his ministry is to share the good news of what God has done in his life with students and others who need to hear. God can do the same with any of us. Allow the grace of God to touch you as it did that young boy at the children's home, the shepherds and the man who had been a convict most of his life. God specializes in taking the last and making them the first.

The Best Gifts

As the time for shopping slips by and Christmas draws nearer there is an ever increasing flurry to select those last minute gifts. However, in our hectic activity to secure that special item to wrap and place under the tree, we often overlook some of the best gifts. Many have increased the meaningfulness of giving by making gifts. Such gifts give more of oneself than the hastily purchased store items. Even better than the home-made gifts are those that cannot be wrapped or handled. These gifts are discovered more quickly by those who cannot afford the traditional shopping spree or have chosen to eliminate the emphasis on materialism. These best gifts were given by God and can be passed on to others at any time of the year.

Faith is a gift that produces a fruitful life and a full life. It empowers the individual as scripture says, "this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith" and "if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed...nothing shall be impossible unto you."

The second gift is hope. Hope brings patience which we all need. With this gift we realize there is something beyond the disappointments of life. The impact of lawlessness and wickedness are eased as we look forward to a day when these will no longer be present. The expectation of God's activity in our lives and affairs brings a peace that cannot be disturbed by circumstances.

Love rounds out these best gifts offered by God. Love casts out fear and enables us to give and experience forgiveness. God loved us while we were still his enemies and that love of God shed in our heart enables us to love our enemies. Love motivates us to serve others.

This Christmas whether you give material gifts or not, you can give the best gifts - the gifts of faith, love and hope. From sharing these you will give and receive the blessings of grace, joy and fulfillment.

Like Father, Like Son

We are all influenced and shaped by those around us. Probably the strongest influence on a young boy is his father. Even though I lost my father when I was sixteen I still remember things 45 years later that he said. When I was a houseparent at a children's home I learned that no matter what a father had done the kids always defended and admired him, at least publicly.

When God selected the earthly father who would be involved in the life of his Son it was important that the right man be chosen. What God saw in Joseph is what needs to be seen in each of us fathers. The Bible tells us in Matthew 1 that Joseph was a just or righteous man. That is an essential characteristic for a good father. But that alone isn't enough. We read on that Joseph was a compassionate man not wanting to make Mary a public example. He also was a man who thought through the decisions he made. While he was thinking about the situation an angel appeared and explained the miracle being performed through Mary. In response Joseph indicated a final essential. He acted in obedience to the angel's instructions.

While we may not all have a father like Joseph we can be a father like Joseph. If our earthly father isn't a good model we still have a heavenly Father who is. And our heavenly Father has provided examples in scripture like Zacharias and Joseph. We tend to end up like our fathers. So the model we look up to is important. If you have not yet done so, establish a relationship with the heavenly Father today through his Son Jesus. Then pattern your life after him and those he lifts up before us as good examples.

Choosing A Mother

When I chose the woman who would someday be the mother of my children there were three factors I sought. Most important was that she was a Christian. I wanted my children to have a mom who loved the Lord and wanted to serve him. Then I also wanted my childrens mom to be a loving, tender person. Finally, I fancied cute, shorter girls with long hair. The woman I married met all three requirements and is now the mother of our four children and grandmother of eight grandchildren (the eighth is on the way).

When God was looking for a mother for his Son Jesus there were some important things that He sought as well. In Luke 1 we discover that Mary was a pure virgin who was highly favored (filled with grace). She was a person who was set apart. In her response to the announcement of her coming conception of Jesus she fully surrendered herself and said, "Let it be according to your word." She displayed a servant's heart as she declared, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord!" Mary was just the right choice for the mother of Jesus.

God is still looking for people through whom He can perform great things. We would do well to pattern our lives after the character of Mary. For God to use us we must be pure, surrendered and have a servant's heart. In Romans 12:1 God says, "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God..." We are further instructed that we must not be conformed to the world and must be transformed in our thinking. That involves surrender of what we want in order to do what God wants. Are we candidates for the work of God in today's world?

Don't Be At the Airport When Your Ship Comes In

Most of us dream of unexpected blessing. As a child we used to watch the TV program "Millionaire." In each episode some unsuspecting individual was given a check for a million dollars. Every now and then I still comment to my wife, "I wonder if the millionaire has left a check in my mail box?" Sometimes such an event is referred to as our "ship coming in." My dad used to say that he'd probably be at the airport when his ship came in.

While most of us probably will never have that million dollar blessing, there is a blessing that will be ours if we are in the right place. In Luke 1 Zacharias and Elizabeth were blessed by God because of their walk. As we read the text we find them righteous, obedient and blameless before God. Zacharias was faithfully doing his service in the temple when God informed him that their prayer had been heard and they would be blessed with a son. That son would be the one who introduced Jesus as "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." God chose them for this special blessing because they were in the path of blessing.

At a preacher's convention the late Dr. Walter Wilson observed preacher after preacher praying and asking God for a blessing. When it was Dr. Wilson's turn to pray he only prayed one sentence. He said, "Lord, make us blessable." Zacharias and Elizabeth were blessable. Are we? If we will walk in the path of blessing we will be the recipients of blessing.

An Old Testament Christmas

How should we celebrate Christmas? With all the focus on materialism and secularism the joy of Christmas tends to get buried. Even Christians can get so caught up in the cultural aspects of Christmas that its significance and application are lost. Christmas is the celebration of God's activity on our behalf. He invaded time to free us from captivity and establish his kingdom within each of us.

In the Old Testament book of Nehemiah God did a similar thing for Israel. They had been taken captive by oppressors. God sent Nehemiah to lead in the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem. Upon completion of the task there was a day of celebration. The activity of that day could serve as a guide for us as we celebrate God's work in our restoration. Nehemiah encouraged the people in Nehemiah 8:10 to "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord." The three-pronged focus of the day was on gladness, giving and godliness.

Christmas should have a similar focus. It is a time of gladness for what God has done and is doing in our lives. Having been abundantly blessed by God's gift we should have the desire to share with others by giving not only material gifts but the gift of salvation we enjoy. Finally, Christmas must be a time of godliness. We must celebrate the sacred with lives that are sacred. We cannot sing "Joy to the World" with faces of sorrow. Our lives act out the celebration of which we sing. Let's borrow and enact the focus of the "Old Testament Christmas" of Nehemiah.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Most of us have gone through time when it seemed as if we were in a dark tunnel. Perhaps we were having a financial or physical crisis. Circumstances may have just depressed us. But then we suddenly saw the end of the problem in the distance and exclaimed that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Israel is described as being in that situation in Isaiah 9. They were people who walked in darkness and who had no joy. They were under the yoke of a burden and rod of an oppressor. Then came the announcement: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given." Their tunnel was illuminated by the hope of Jesus' coming. And He did come offering light and hope to Israel and all others who would accept him.

Today our tunnel is just as dark. Our oppressor and the enemy of God attempts to keep us from the light and hold us under his yoke. Many cannot see beyond the circumstances that make life miserable. Relief may be found in the same promise Isaiah made to Israel. However, our Light has come already and we celebrate his birth at Christmas. When received He illuminates our life for the present and provides the light of eternal life at the end of the tunnel.

What's In The Package?

While shopping for Christmas is far from over in most cases, there are presents either under the tree or hidden away in secret spots in most homes. When I was a child my parents had to find a new hiding place every year as we children couldn't keep from pinching and examining the gifts. We just had to find out if our wishes were going to come true or not. Mom never knew that I actually opened and resealed some of my gifts long before Christmas. Then I had to guard that I didn't give away the secrets I had discovered.

When God planned his gift of Christmas there was no attempt to conceal it. As a matter of fact He gave us previews well ahead of time. The first glimpse of Christmas if found in Genesis 3:15 when God said to the Serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." The Seed of the woman is none other than Jesus who is the Person of Christmas.

God's gift of Christmas was not a luxury item that we don't need. It was a necessity. Adam and Eve's disobedience had brought separation from their Creator. The only way to repair the damage was for the enemy to be defeated and the payment made for our transgression. All of that was wrapped up in the arrival of God's Christmas gift to us. His name was Jesus. You don't have to wait until Christmas day to begin enjoying this gift. You can open the package today and enjoy the grace of God which is Christ in us.

Wars Past And Present

Sixty-six years ago today the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in a World War II action. Twenty-four years earlier the United States had declared war against enemies in a World War I action. Of course, both of these wars cost thousands of lives. Other wars have come and gone. Current wars rage on in various parts of the world.

There is another war that began six thousand years ago and still rages on today. In the Garden of Eden a war was declared against God and any who would choose to follow him. It is a war waged by the forces of Satan. While some persons attempt to remain neutral in this war, it is not possible. We are either in God's army or Satan's. In the Old Testament Joshua challenged his people to "choose this day whom you will serve." In the New Testament we are warned that "today is the day of salvation."

The bright side of this war is that its end is known and certain. God sent his Son to secure the victory on the cross. Satan was defeated and victory assured for any who will choose to be in the Lord's army. God provides grace that enables us to be moved from one camp to the other and daily grace to sustain us to the end. Enjoy and share the grace of God provided for you.

From Ducks to Eagles

I received an email advertisement once for a new book. The title was "You Can't Send a Duck to Eagle School." I think the idea was a modern version of the old saying "You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks." The concept is the same in both: it is impossible to change. Most of us are locked into that belief. We dream of a better job or taking on some new challenge, but are hindered by a lingering voice that declares that dream out of our reach.

The Apostle Paul must have had those thoughts when he declared "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Of course, his statement has reference to the things that God has called us to do. Often God places upon our heart tasks that He wants us to do and we hear that voice that says, "You can't do that!" Paul revealed the means of successfully serving God which is to claim the strength that Christ offers.

It is true that when it comes to spiritual matters we are incapable of doing anything. But God begins a work in us that overcomes that barrier. In Ephesians we read that God has quickened us who were dead in trespasses and sins. That means he has freed us from the grip of spiritual death and given us life. From that point on he enables us to carry out the callings he places on our life. Have you seen yourself as a "duck" waddling around life? In Isaiah 40:31 we are encouraged to "rise up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Start "eagle school" today by allowing God to give you a new life. Then draw on the strength of Christ to finish the course.

Give The Gift That Never Stops Giving

Yesterday we began our annual secret Santa activity at school. Each year we draw names from among the faculty and staff and then surprise our secret person with little gifts every day or two until the faculty Christmas party at which time we reveal who we are. The little gifts we give each other are not expensive but give each of us an opportunity to give and enjoy the response of those to whom we give.

While the idea of Santa is just tradition, the secret Santa activity does cultivate in us a principle that is stressed in scripture. Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to be servants. The Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" stresses the same concept. By nature we are takers rather than givers. We would rather be served than to serve others. The practice of giving should not be experienced just at Christmas time. We should look for ways we can give to the needs of others on a year round basis.

The greatest example of the servant life is seen in Jesus. He left behind the glory of heaven to become a servant to you and me. He set the example. He gave us the greatest gift when He offered his life on the cross as the means of our reconciliation to God. If you have not already done so, consider accepting God's grace gift today. Once we have accepted that gift we should then share that grace gift with others around us. It is a gift that lasts for all eternity. God tells us that to become a servant is our reasonable service considering the gift He gave us.

Christmas Decorations

Every year we and our neighbors display Christmas lights and scenes both outside and inside. This year I put up the front porch display during my Thanksgiving break from school while it was still warm. Then in accord with our tradition the day after Thanksgiving I got out all of the interior decorations and began with the Christmas tree. My wife usually does this job but cannot this year because she is still recovering from surgery. Our tree is one of those four foot trees that you just pull out of the box, plug in and presto it is already lit up. I was glad we had one of those easy to set up trees. But as it turned out I couldn't figure out the sequence of plugging in the connections. No matter what I did there was always part of the tree's lights that were not lit up. I finally gave up and my daughter is coming to tackle the job.

Our lives are much like that Christmas tree. Our purpose is to be a year round Christmas decoration. The Bible indicates many kinds of ornaments that are to grace our being. For example, Proverbs 1:9 indicates that fearing God and believing his Word are to be ornaments of grace upon our head. In I Peter 3:4 a meek and quiet spirit become the ornament of our heart.

The lights on our life-tree have a very special purpose. Scripture says, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." These lights must also be connected properly in order for them to work. Just as I struggled to get the tree lights in our home to come on, many struggle to keep their lives aglow for God. The secret to success in this endeavor is to be plugged in to the right source. Jesus is the Light of the world and only when He dwells in us and rules will we be able to let our light shine. If you have gotten discouraged about life, having purpose and fulfillment just plug yourself into Jesus and he will make you his Christmas decoration every day.

Help Wanted: Surgical Assistants

An exciting aspect of our modern society is the medical technology we have developed. One day at church the prayer requests included a man who had successfully had double knee replacement, another who had experienced a stem cell transplant operation, several who had successful back surgeries and even a little boy who had come through successful heart surgery.

Last week my two week old great grandson had successful surgery to replace a section of his aorta and expected to go home at the end of this week. What a marvel modern medicine is! We thank the doctors and the Great Physician.

Fifty years ago South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the first heart transplant operation. The patient, Louis Washkansky, survived for 18 days. Now it is common to hear of people getting a heart transplant as well as many other types of organ transplants with complete success. Medical science has been granted the gift of life-prolonging techniques beyond what we could have imagined when I was a child.

However, life still comes to an end at our appointed time. The surgery that will prepare us to move successfully from this life into eternity is heart surgery of another kind. Our spiritual heart needs replacing. The Bible indicates that we need to become new creations in Christ Jesus by having a change of heart. By nature our spiritual heart is doomed to failure. Unless we get the transplant provided by Jesus on the cross we have no hope.

Many people all around us have no idea that they need a Surgeon, but the Great Physician has commissioned us to spread the word regarding the disease of sin along with the good news that a procedure for its cure has already been provided and its price has been paid. God has given each believer the privilege of becoming his surgical assistant. Will you take the job?