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“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

James 1:1–4

In 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a rising star in the political world. But when he contracted polio and was left unable to walk on his own, it seemed that his dreams had been shattered. Roosevelt embarked on a grueling physical rehabilitation program, and though he never regained the use of his legs, he was able to return to public life. He would be elected president in 1932, overcoming great obstacles to reach the peak of the political world. Roosevelt said, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”

Given the choice, most of us would not select great trials and hardship in our lives. Yet, God often uses difficulty to accomplish growth that cannot come any other way. Like a sculptor chiseling away at a block of marble, God sometimes strikes us with what seem to be heavy blows to remove the things that are not part of His design. The process of growth and spiritual development is not painless, nor did God ever guarantee that it would be.

In our moments of pain and trial, it is vital that we not lose sight of God’s plan for our lives. Bad things are not necessarily a sign of His displeasure or punishment, though we should examine our lives to see if we are being chastened. But often they are simply God bringing us to a higher level of faith and trust in Him, as He uses struggles to shape and refine our character. There is a great comfort in knowing that nothing takes God by surprise, and that we can always trust Him to do what is best for us.

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”

2 Chronicles 20:21–22

When Jehoshaphat faced the threat of an attack by a vast host of his enemies who had joined forces together against him, he recognized that he had no hope of victory humanly speaking. So he wisely sought help from the Lord. God sent word to the besieged king that not only would he be delivered, but that his army would not have to fight at all. In faith and gratitude, Jehoshaphat selected singers to go out ahead of his troops, praising the Lord all the way to the field of battle. When they arrived, they found that the coalition against them had been broken, and that the enemy armies had destroyed each other. There is so much value in praising God and giving thanks for what He has done for us. It is good for our own hearts and lives, and it has a positive impact on those around us.

In his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge wrote, “In acknowledging the receipt of divine favor, in contemplating the blessings which have been bestowed upon us, we shall reveal the spiritual strength of the nation. We shall do well to accept all these favors and bounties with a becoming humility, and dedicate them to the service of the righteous cause of the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. As the nation has prospered let all the people show that they are worthy to prosper by rededicating America to the service of God and man.”

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”

Romans 1:20–22

The increasingly godless culture that surrounds us is filled with evil, but this is hardly the first time God’s people have lived in a sea of wickedness. The same was true in the first century when the early church was setting out to take the gospel to the world. The Roman Empire was filled with violence and immorality, and was very hostile to the new religion spreading from Jerusalem across their territory. Yet when the Apostle Paul described the society in which evil reigned, he began by accusing them of one particular sin—ingratitude.

Every person on Earth, the saved and the lost, benefit from the amazing grace that God freely provides. No man is able to make the sun shine, cause the winds to blow, or do any of the other essential things that make life possible. Were it not for the benefits provided by God, we would have nothing. Matthew 5:45 tells us that our Father which is in Heaven, “Maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

As children of God who receive not just His natural benefits, but also eternal salvation, we have a special responsibility to be thankful. There is no excuse for us not to praise and glorify God, not just once a year, but every single day. Charles Spurgeon said, “When joy and prayer are married, their firstborn child is gratitude.”

“And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

Genesis 8:20–22

Noah had the unique experience of his family being the only survivors spared from the Flood that God sent, to judge the wickedness of man. He and his family did not live through that global catastrophe because of his cleverness or foresight, but because of the grace of God. When Noah was warned of the coming judgment, he responded in faith and built the ark according to God’s design and specifications. The ark did exactly what God promised, and after more than a year had passed, Noah and his family emerged safely onto dry ground.

The first thing Noah did was build an altar to make an offering to God. Truly he had much for which to be thankful—as do we. Most of us, however, would have to acknowledge that we fall short when it comes to giving God the praise and thanks He deserves. Though there are many reasons for that, one of the great causes of ingratitude is our desire to think that we make it through on our own strength and effort. When we give thanks to God, we admit that He deserves all the praise and glory rather than us. William Jennings Bryan said, “On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge our dependence.” Let us lay aside our pride and in humility come before the Lord, giving thanks.

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

2 Peter 1:8–10

I read a rather humorous story of a man who was quite surprised to see his neighbor leave the house in full football gear—pads and helmet. He called out, “Jim, I didn’t know you played football.” Jim replied, “I don’t. I’m going to the mall to do my Christmas shopping!” There are a lot of people who get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas that they lose out on the joy and meaning that makes the celebration of Christ’s birth so meaningful. And while it is true that most of those who miss the purpose of Christmas do so because they have not received the gift the Saviour came to offer, it is very possible for Christians to miss any spiritual value in the holiday.

We are not immune from the peril of forgetting what God has done for us just because we are saved. In fact the longer we have been saved, the more danger we face of taking God’s great grace and mercy shown to us so clearly that first Christmas for granted. The stunning story of angels and shepherds, a baby in a manager, and wise men traveling to bring gifts to the newborn king are so familiar to us that we no longer stop to rejoice in what God has done. If our focus is where it should be, the stories we’ve heard hundreds of times before will still be fresh and new to us.

“Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did. And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD.”

2 Kings 21:19–22

Some people learn early of God’s love and accept His salvation at a young age. They develop the habits of church attendance, Bible reading, prayer, and giving early in life. Others do not have that advantage. Being saved later, there are negative habits from their younger years that they must overcome. Dostoyevsky wrote, “The second half of a man’s life is made up of the habits he acquired during the first half.”

But all of us, whether we had a head start with a godly family or not, have tendencies and habits of which we must be aware if we want to do what is right and pleasing in God’s eyes. It is easy for us to overlook things that we are used to doing. For example, a person who grew up giving quick vent to anger may not recognize the issues their outbursts can cause for themselves and for others. It seems “normal” because it is part of a pattern of living.

We need to be alert and aware as we make our way through life to negative tendencies and patterns that we may have acquired, and be vigilant not to accept them. In the same way, we need to be aware of our good habits and behaviors, and do what we can to reinforce them so that they continue.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.”

John 16:1–4

According to one recent report, more than ten Christians on average are killed every single day because of their faith. In country after country around the world, those who express faith in Jesus Christ put a target on themselves and their families because opposition to Christianity there is not limited to verbal objections. While we are thankful that in America we’ve been able to worship and witness without fear of being killed, that is rare and not guaranteed to continue in the future.

Throughout the history of the church, men and women have faced a choice between being true to God and the risk of death. Though some have failed that challenge and renounced their faith, there is a glorious tradition of those who were faithful even unto death. While we certainly hope to never be placed in that position, we are not promised ease and safety as followers of the Lord who perished on a cross.

The only way that we can pass the most critical tests of faith is for our faith to be strengthened before those moments come. Daniel did not decide whether to pray when the law forbidding it was passed. He had already made his decision and was praying long before. The choices that we make today determine the choice we would make if we faced a life and death struggle of faith.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Hebrews 13:5–6

Challenged by the pioneer missionary Robert Moffat, David Livingstone dedicated his life to taking the gospel to Africa. He labored for years, enduring great physical hardship. On a rare trip back to his homeland, Livingstone was asked to speak about his work. Standing with his left arm hanging useless after it had been crushed by a lion, with his gaunt body wracked with malaria, Livingstone said, “Would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.”

Through the centuries, the people of God have relied on the promises of God, and none of those promises have ever failed. The presence of God in our lives is certain and unchanging. He does not go away or abandon us or even rest. “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). The world is filled with obstacles, challenges, and difficulty. But as Christians we never face any of them alone. Though we can ignore the resources and help God offers and insist on going our own way, we always have the option of fleeing to the throne of grace to seek God’s grace and help. There is no reason for us to fear what we may face, because God’s presence extends beyond this life. At the moment we die, we will be in Heaven with Him forever.

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

Isaiah 53:1–3

In 2014, security guards at an art exhibit in southern Italy were stunned when they arrived in the morning and found a modern art display valued at $15,000 gone. Contrary to what one would first assume, however, the loss was not the work of clever thieves. The exhibit, which consisted of newspapers, cardboard, and cookies, had been thrown away by the cleaning crew who thought it was trash left behind by workers setting up exhibits in the gallery.

Most people do not think of artwork when they see pieces of trash. But it is not just in the realm of art appreciation that the tendency to devalue what does not appear to match our conception occurs. The same thing happened when Jesus came.

Though Jesus’ life and ministry showed Him to be the Messiah, most people did not believe in Him. Some doubted because of where He grew up. “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see” (John 1:46). Others viewed His lack of interest in overthrowing the Romans and restoring Jewish independence as grounds for not following Jesus. And so despite His presence among them, and all the good works He did, Jesus was despised and rejected.

Even today, people do not value Jesus for who He is—God who came in the flesh to make a sacrifice for our sin. But we who know Him as our Saviour treasure our relationship with Him.

“And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

John 19:1–19

The Romans refined their systems of punishment and execution with an eye toward inflicting maximum pain on the victims. The pinnacle of their work was death by crucifixion, which the historian Josephus called “the most wretched of deaths.” It was not uncommon for healthy prisoners to live for two or even three days on the cross in agonizing pain. The word excruciating that we use to describe awful pain literally means “from the cross.”

Many people struggle with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. But when we properly understand the meaning and purpose of the cross, we understand that we have incredible value. Jesus paid an amazing price for our redemption. The cost of the cross becomes even more astonishing when we reflect that it was part of God’s plan before He ever created the world. Revelation 13:8 refers to Jesus as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Others may hold us in contempt and think us of no value. (They did with Jesus.) We ourselves may struggle to believe that God loves us. But as long as the cross stands in history and memory, we have a vivid reminder of how God views us. God views us as worthy of making a supreme sacrifice. There is no limit to His love, and in the light of that love, we find a value that can never be taken away from us.

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:13–16

Most people in our society have some knowledge of Jesus, but the picture they have of Him is often different than the one found in the pages of the Bible. I came across a list someone had put together of some of the ways in which our world views the Lord.

•They have Republican Jesus and Democrat Jesus who favors whichever government policies they happen to prefer.
•They have Therapist Jesus, who helps us cope with life’s problems and tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on ourselves.
•They have Open-minded Jesus—who loves everyone all the time no matter what (except for people who are not as open-minded as you).
•They have Touchdown Jesus—who helps athletes run faster and jump higher.
•They have Hippie Jesus—who teaches everyone to give peace a chance, imagines a world without religion, and helps us remember that “all you need is love.”
•They have Guru Jesus—a wise, inspirational teacher who believes in you and helps you find your center.

The reality is that Jesus is exactly what Peter declared Him to be—the Messiah, and the Son of God. Jesus was not just a teacher, or an example or a prophet. He was Divine. He came as the Saviour for all who believe, and no one who views Him as less than that has any hope of salvation. We need to elevate Jesus in our thinking, and follow Him daily.

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Hebrews 9:12–14

I read about a little boy who sat down on the lap of a department store Santa with a rather lengthy list of gift ideas. He asked for a bike, a sled, a cowboy outfit, a train set, a baseball glove and a pair of roller skates. When he stopped to take a breath, Santa said, “That’s a pretty long list. I’ll have to check and make sure you were a very good boy.” The boy quickly replied, “You don’t have to go to all the trouble of checking. I’ll just take the roller skates!”

All of us fall short of God’s standard of perfection. While there are no doubt some people who are much better or much worse than average, no one reaches the mark that God has set. “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12). That means that all of us are in need of a Saviour—which is why Jesus came.

There are many great blessings conferred on those who receive God’s free gift of salvation, but none is more important than having the perfect obedience and righteousness of Jesus Christ placed on the record next to our name. As Christians we have no fear of the list being inspected, for when God sees us, He does so through the blood of His Son, and finds us sanctified.

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Luke 1:30–33

When Gabriel came to announce to Mary that she had been chosen by God to give birth to the Messiah, he was bringing news that would completely upend her life. This young woman, espoused to be married to Joseph, was going to have a baby even though she was a virgin. She certainly knew that few people, if any, would believe she had remained pure. Yet Mary accepted her place in God’s plan willingly, despite the upheaval it would bring to her life. Her focus was in the same place God’s focus was—on the Saviour who would be born through her.

There are a lot of things I love about the Christmas season and the way we celebrate. I’m sure that like our family, yours has traditions for shopping, giving gifts, singing carols, special church services, and more. These things are what we expect and enjoy during the holidays. But nothing should ever be allowed to take the primary focus of everything we do away from Jesus. Years ago a popular bumper sticker said, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” The focus of Gabriel’s message to Mary was not on what being the mother of Jesus would mean to her, but on who and what Jesus is. He is both the Saviour and the ruler of the world. And though He has not yet come to rule on Earth, that promise is just as sure as His first coming.

“Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

John 18:35-37

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David, just as the ancient prophets had foretold, just six miles from Jerusalem. Because of its close location, some Bible scholars believe that the shepherds to whom the angels appeared to announce the birth of Christ were keeping flocks of sheep intended to be used for sacrifices in the Temple. The place of Jesus’ birth was very close to the place of His death and resurrection, and if we properly understand the Christmas story, those two cannot be separated.

Jesus did not come to teach or to heal or to start a new religion. He came to be the Saviour, making the sacrifice necessary to pay for our sins. He is the only hope and source of salvation. All of man’s efforts to atone for sin fall short. But when we come to Jesus, there is hope. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Those who acknowledge their sin and need of a Saviour and turn to Him in faith, accepting salvation as the free gift that it is, are saved forever.

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

1 John 5:11–13

God does not want our eternal destiny to be in question. He not only offers us salvation, but He reminds us again and again that our salvation is certain. He assures those who have turned to Him in faith and received Him as their Saviour that they should have no fear for the future.

Although there are some Christians who need that reassurance, there are many whose problem is not doubting salvation (that they genuinely possess,) but who are trusting in false hopes and believing themselves to be saved when they are not. The evangelist D. L. Moody told the story of a drunken man who stopped him in the street and said, “Don’t you remember me? I’m the man you saved here two years ago.” “Well,” said Moody, “It must have been me, because the Lord certainly didn’t do it!” Being saved isn’t a matter of simply saying some words. It is a choice from the heart to receive Christ. And with salvation will come a change of heart.

If you have received Christ as your Saviour, you can have the confidence that you have eternal life. If you have the Son, you have life—it really is that simple. God desires for us to be confident in our standing as His children. When we forget that all of our salvation was His work and that we merely accepted what His grace offered, we lose the fear that we may do something to lose it.

“Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:2–4

The church in Jerusalem experienced explosive growth following the Day of Pentecost. With thousands of new believers added to the assembly, there soon arose a need for more help in caring for the church than the apostles could give. In particular, there arose a disagreement over how the widows were being cared for. This led to the appointment of the first deacons who would make sure that the needs of all were adequately met. There are several things we might expect to see on the list of requirements for such a service-oriented position, but the list recorded for us in Scripture contains one trait that we often do not associate with caring for others—Spirit fullness.

The power of the Holy Spirit is something we usually think about in terms of pulpit ministry or teaching, but it is just as needed in the hidden tasks of service to the church as it is in public work. There is not meant to be a divide between the tasks we do for God in His strength and the ones we do in our own power. We need God’s power just as surely when we perform acts of service as when we teach, preach, or witness. Charles Spurgeon said, “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.” All Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit, but not all are yielded to Him so that they live in His power and fullness.

“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.”

Jeremiah 20:9–10

I read about a little five-year-old girl named Hannah who came to her mother one morning and said, “Mommy, I think Jesus has moved out of my heart.” The mother was concerned about her daughter’s understanding of salvation and security, so she asked the little girl where she thought Jesus had gone. Hannah replied, “Oh Jesus is still inside me. I think He moved to my throat because all I want to do is tell people about Him!”

There are some places in the world today where witnessing must be done with care and caution to avoid persecution or even murder. But that is not why most of us do not witness as we should. We face no serious harassment from sharing the gospel. Someone might say something unkind or even slam a door in our face, although even that is fairly uncommon. We are certainly not facing the kind of threats and violence that often greeted the early followers of Jesus when they told others about Him.

So why are so many Christians silent when it comes to the most important message we can share with others? While there are many causes, the root is found in the heart. If we have appreciation for our own salvation and an understanding of the fate of those without Christ, we will be motivated to be witnesses for Christ.

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:2–5

Cato the Elder, the noted Roman orator and statesman fought nobly for his country against Carthage in the Second Punic War two hundred years before the birth of Christ. After the defeat of Hannibal and his elephants, the Romans signed a peace treaty with Carthage that gave them large areas of land, but allowed Carthage to remain a potential future threat. Cato feared that the Romans had simply turned a blind eye to the danger posed by Carthage, correctly realizing that one day another war would have to be fought—and if care was not taken it would be fought on terms unfavorable to Rome.

Cato the Elder began ending every speech with the words Carthago delenda est—”Carthage must be destroyed.” The message was clear, but decades passed and Carthage indeed raised a new army before military action was finally taken to finally remove Carthage as a threat.

For the words that we speak to others to have a life-changing impact, we need more than just insight and wisdom. It is not enough just to be right. We need power, and that power can only come from the Holy Spirit.

There are many gifted preachers and teachers and soulwinners, but the impact that they have on others is not caused by their gifts, but by their empowering to use those gifts. It is not our wisdom and talent that produces change, but the work of God through us. Nothing less will be effective.

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

2 Timothy 4:1–4

Henry VIII thought of himself as above correction by religious authorities. The story is told that a sermon preached by Hugh Latimer so angered the king that he commanded Latimer to return the following Sunday to apologize for his offensive message. Latimer read the same text as the previous week and then said, “Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou are this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king’s most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life, if thou offendest. Therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease. But then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest—upon whose message thou are sent? Even by the great and mighty God, Who is all-present and who beholdeth all thy ways… Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully.” Latimer then proceeded to preach the exact same message from the previous week, but with more fire and passion.

If we want our lives to be a success by God’s standards and be judged faithful, our primary focus must be on pleasing Him rather than men. There has never yet been a true prophet who was popular with everyone. The false prophets speak words of peace rather than repentance, and become popular. Those who speak the truth may not be popular, but they are approved by God.

“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John 1:10–13

We live in a divided world. Nations go to war over border disputes, resources, and desire for gain. Nations dissolve into warring factions that can no longer live together. This is not a new thing—it has been with us since sin entered the world. But the process of separating and dividing seems to be accelerating in our era. New countries are being created constantly—thirty-four new nations have been created just since 1990.

In a divided world, what is the hope for unity? It surely cannot be found in government programs, for those have been tried and found wanting. It cannot come from education, for more of the world is spending more time in school, yet the divisions remain. It is not found in advances in technology and communication, for despite their promises of connection, they often divide more than ever. The only hope of peace for a world of sinful men is found in the Prince of Peace, who is the Saviour for all who believe.

George Truett said, “Christ was born in the first century, yet He belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries.” There is hope in the message of Christmas—not the consumer crazed holiday many observe, but in the story of a Saviour who came for all those who take His offer of salvation in faith.

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

Revelation 5:11–12

When the first angel appeared to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem, he brought the message for which Israel had been waiting for thousands of years—that the Messiah and Saviour had come into the world. But such good news could not be adequately conveyed by a single angel. Instead, a multitude of angels appeared to give praise and glory to God. This should not be a surprise, because each time the Bible reveals a glimpse of what is happening in Heaven, we see angelic praise being offered to God.

If the angels, who do not receive God’s gift of salvation praise Him, how much more should those of us who had no hope of entering His presence apart from the coming of Christ as our Saviour praise Him? We are the recipients of the greatest gift of history when we accept salvation by grace through faith. It is the height of ingratitude not to continually thank and praise God for what we have received.

Yet too often that is not the case. The Psalmist expressed his desire to see praise from those who had benefited from God’s blessings. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8). There should be a constant stream of praise proceeding from our lips, not just at Christmas but throughout the year. The people of God have been granted that status because of His grace and the gift of His Son, and we should devote our lives to honoring and glorifying Him.

“If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.”

2 Chronicles 6:38–39

When Solomon completed the beautiful Temple in Jerusalem, he dedicated it with great ceremony and sacrifices. As part of the dedication, he prayed that God would guard His people and keep them following Him—but also that if they turned away from God and were judged, He would remember them and still listen for their prayers. The Israelites did turn from God and were taken into captivity as a result of His judgment.

Yet even after that great defeat, there were those among God’s people who believed that they could trust Him. It was not by accident that the enemies of Daniel conspired against him by trying to outlaw prayer to anyone other than King Darius. What Daniel was doing, and had been doing long before the law was signed, was in response to Solomon’s declaration of what God would do. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

Daniel believed that God could be faithful to hear his prayers just as Solomon had asked. His faith was demonstrated in his actions. There is no such thing as a vibrant and living faith that does not produce obedience in our lives.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

Isaiah 9:6–7

According to the latest report I’ve seen, there are about sixty wars, armed conflicts, revolutions, and skirmishes taking place in our world right now. In Syria alone, the civil war that has raged for six years now has left almost half a million people dead and more than two million others have fled their homes to try to avoid the fighting. We live in a world filled with strife and conflict. But this is not new. Division has been a part of human life since sin entered into the world.

The bottom line of human conflict is not resources, borders, tribes, languages, or glory, but sin. Indeed apart from God we have no expectation of anything but warfare and division. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). No matter how diligently we work or how devoutly we wish, the sinful nature lurking in the hearts of mankind constantly works against peace.

But in the person of Jesus, we are offered the solution to every conflict. He is the only ruler who offers hope for a lasting peace, and peace is His promise to those who are His children by virtue of receiving His salvation. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”

John 10:31–33

One of the great tragedies of the way Christmas is celebrated in our culture is that Jesus in the manger becomes just another decoration along with reindeer, snowmen, and Santas. He was far more than just a baby born in unusual circumstances—He was the very Son of God. The refusal to accept Jesus for who He truly is did not start in our generation. It was the same during His life and ministry.

When Jesus went to the Temple for the celebration of Hanukkah (called “the feast of dedication” in John 10) and taught there, the religious leaders tried to stone Him to death. According to Jewish tradition, the Holy of Holies was defiled by Antiocus Epiphanes, who erected a statue of Zeus and sacrificed pigs on the altar. The blood of the pigs ran down upon the stones that formed the floor. After the revolt of the Maccabees when the Temple was cleansed, there was a dispute over those stones.

The argument was made that since they had been in the presence of God’s Shekinah glory, they were holy and could not be discarded. But because they had been defiled, they could also no longer be used. The agreement was made to set the stones aside, and let the Messiah determine what should be done with them when He appeared. It is possible that it was these very stones the Jews grabbed when they wanted to stone Jesus in the Temple for declaring Himself to be God and the Saviour. The Messiah was in their midst, but they refused to acknowledge who He was.

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

John 3:18–20

One of the best known classic Christmas movies is It’s a Wonderful Life. It tells the story of a man named George Bailey who reaches the point where he wishes he had never been born. An angel named Clarence (second class—no wings) shows him what the world would be like without his influence. George comes to realize the impact his life has had on so many others, and finally tells Clarence, “I want to live!” In the end, the townspeople George has helped so much come to his aid and everyone gets a happy ending, even Clarence who finally gets wings. Of course that’s fiction, and things don’t work like that in the real world.

But Christmas is a powerful reminder of the impact Jesus Christ made when He was born in Bethlehem so long ago. Every part of human life, even down to our calendar, is touched by His arrival to bring light into a world of darkness. This is just as true for those who do not believe in Jesus as it is for those of us who are saved. The darkness may hate the light, but it cannot defeat it. “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5), Those of us who have come to His light have a great responsibility to be faithful reflectors of the light to those around us. This is the way to truly celebrate the birth of Christ.

“Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

2 Corinthians 8:7–9

It is impossible for our limited understanding to fully grasp the glory and riches of Heaven. We read about the wonders of our eternal home in Scripture, but they at best paint a dim picture of what we will one day see. That perfect place was home to Jesus before the world was created. When He left everything behind to come to Earth as our Saviour, He gave up wealth and power beyond our imagination. Though anything in our world would have been a massive step down, Jesus could still have chosen to be born into what passes for wealth and luxury. He could have been born in a palace surrounded by all the comforts available.

Instead He chose an ordinary poor family. We know that Mary and Joseph had very little, for the offering that they brought to the Temple was the substitute offering Moses provided for those who could not afford the full sacrifice commanded in the law. “And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean” (Leviticus 12:8). The love of God for us is measured by the cost of our salvation. It was not just on the cross but in every part of His life that Jesus sacrificed.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

John 1:14–17

There are times when circumstances force us to only be able to send presents to people we wish we could be with on Christmas. But there is nothing that can compare to being there in person when the wrapping paper comes off and the gift is revealed. There is a connection that is made when we are together with family and loved ones that cannot be experienced any other way.

In every human heart, there is a longing for something deeper and more meaningful than what this world can provide. Moses expressed his longing for a deep and real connection with God when he was leading the Children of Israel. The tasks which he faced required more than an abstract knowledge of God—Moses needed God with him day after day. “And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus 33:15).

Many try to fill the void with other things, but only Jesus can satisfy the longing of the heart. And to meet that need, He came in person. The Lord did not send a present—He came into the world and took on human form because of our great need of a Saviour. Christmas is not an impersonal story. It is the story of God’s love being manifest in a personal way. It is the story of our value in His eyes.

“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

Luke 2:49–52

Though Jesus was always fully and completely God from the moment of His conception, He was also fully and completely human. And as a human, He had to go through the stages of growth, development, and learning that all of us do. Jesus was not born knowing how to walk or speak or care for Himself. He learned those things through submission and obedience to Mary and Joseph. In doing so, He set a powerful example for us.

I read recently about the extensive training Arabian horses go through in the deserts. The trainers test to make sure the horses are completely obedient. The final test is forcing the horses to go without water for a couple of days, then turning them loose near an oasis. Just as they get close to the water, the trainer blows his whistle. The horses stop, turn around, and come back. When the trainer is sure that he has their obedience, he then gives them a signal to go back to drink as much as they want.

Many people seem to think that they have “outgrown” the need for obedience. They know what God commands in His Word, but they endeavor to change the meaning of words or explain them away through culture and context to avoid obedience. Nothing could be further from the example of Jesus. He was always obedient, from His birth to His death, and we should follow His example.

“Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 4:12–14

I read about two coworkers who were discussing their holiday celebrations after everyone got back to the office from the Christmas break. Dan asked Bob, “So what did you get for Christmas?” Bob replied, “See that brand new red Ferrari parked out in the parking lot?” Dan was shocked. “Seriously? That’s incredible!” But Bob said with a sigh, “I got a tie that’s the exact same color as that Ferrari.”

Most of us know what it is like to be disappointed with a Christmas present. Maybe it was when we were a child with an expectation of something specific we had asked for but instead received a replacement. Maybe it was a style or color that we just didn’t like as a teenager. Maybe it was completely different from what we were expecting. But when we finished tearing off the wrapping paper and opening the box, we had to do our best to put a smile on our face that didn’t match how we felt, because we had been let down by what we received.

That never happens when we come to Jesus. He meets every need and satisfies every longing in the human heart. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and the perfect Saviour to answer our desires for love, fulfillment, and meaning in life. No wonder the Apostle Paul declared that Jesus is beyond human ability to describe. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). When we come to Him we are never turned away and never left unsatisfied.

“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:3–6

Politicians are not always known for keeping the promises they make, but I came across an old news story about one who did. When George Jelinek was running for the Kansas state legislature back in the 1960s, he printed up flyers that read, “I will work for you.” According to the article Jelinek won his election and then had an unexpected request from a constituent. “One farmer,” Jelinek said, “told me he voted for me and now he needed some help putting up some alfalfa in the barn. And I did it. But I’m going to have to watch what I say!”

Man may break promises, but God is always faithful. He does not work on our timetable, but everything He says will be done. Thousands of years passed between the time God told Adam and Eve about the coming Messiah who would defeat Satan and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. But it happened just as God said. In fact there are a large number of Old Testament references to the coming of Jesus—the location, timing, and circumstances are given in great detail—and every one of those prophecies were fulfilled.

The Christmas story is not just a baby in a manger, shepherds, angels, and wise men. It is a vivid reminder that everything God says happens just as He promises. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,”

Luke 2:25–27

Jesus came into the world with a definite purpose and mission. From the time He was a young boy, He was committed to doing His Father’s will and work in the world. And that purpose was to accomplish God’s plan of redemption for fallen mankind. Jesus was a great teacher, a miracle worker, a healer, an example and role model to follow, but none of those were His mission. He came to be the Saviour for all who believe.

The aged man Simeon who had been promised that he would see the Messiah before he died recognized the need of salvation. He understood that the curse of sin could only be overcome by the promised Messiah. That was the hope, the consolation which he so devoutly desired to see. And that hope of salvation is the true message of this holiday. The Lord said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

In his Christmas song “Jesus, Baby Jesus” Dr. John Rice wrote:

Jesus, how the angels with delight the story told,
Told to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds at their fold,
Full of light, the heavens, as they chanted “peace on earth.”
Jesus, baby Jesus, what glad news, a Saviour’s birth!
Jesus, baby Jesus, there’s a cross along the way,
Born to die for sinners, born for crucifixion day.

“Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

1 Peter 2:6–8

Probably the most famous set of presents ever given were the Imperial Eggs the house of Faberge made for the Tsars of Russia between 1885 and 1917. Numbering fifty in all, most of these intricate and elaborate eggs are in museum and private collections, but some were lost during the Russian Revolution. A man paid $13,302 at a flea market for a sculpted piece, that he originally intended to melt for scrap metal. But he had trouble selling it, and about a decade later, in 2012, he investigated further and found that he had the missing Third Imperial Egg—worth more than $30 million. When we think about things that are precious, there are some that are valuable because of their age and craftsmanship. Others have great value because of the materials that went into making them. Some are prized because of who made them. The Faberge eggs are valuable because of all three.

The worth of Jesus is beyond price. There is no measure by which we could appraise or evaluate just how precious He is. But we can and should remember to be grateful for the amazing sacrifice that brought the Lord into the world, and then took Him to the cross. The measure of the worth of the blood that He shed for our salvation is seen in what it purchased—the eternal souls of all of us who accepted God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. No human gift will ever compare to the precious Saviour born in Bethlehem.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Matthew 1:21–23

Dr. Lee Roberson told the story of a little boy whose mother died unexpectedly. He was too young to understand everything about death and Heaven, but he knew that his mother was gone. After the funeral, father and son returned home. When it was time for bed, the little boy asked to sleep with his father. But even that proved scant comfort when the lights were turned off. Through the darkness his soft voice whispered, “Daddy, is your face turned toward me?”

All of us have an empty place in our hearts that only God can fill. No amount of success, money, fame, accomplishment or earthly love can supply the need only God can meet. And so often in the darkness when no one else can hear, we ask if God sees us and knows the burdens that we are carrying. Jesus is the answer to that question—and the answer is YES! God sees and knows every burden and heartache that we feel.

Yet so many times we do not feel a real sense of God’s presence and care in our lives. That is because of the effects of sin. Jesus came into the world to bridge the divide that had existed between God and man since Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden. We do not serve a distant God who is far off and hard to reach. We serve a God who is present with us, and who accepts us into His family through the blood of His Son Jesus.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:16–18

Even before the creation of the world and Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, God’s plan for our redemption had already been established. Nothing in the Christmas story happened by accident or coincidence. It was all arranged and ordered ahead of time. John wrote, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). The need for a Saviour did not take God by surprise. He was not caught off guard when man fell and death entered the world. There was no search for a solution to the problem of sin—it was already in place.

Jesus made the necessity of salvation crystal clear when He talked to Nicodemus. Every person is born under the condemnation of sin. Our destiny is not determined by our actions, thoughts or intentions, but by our nature. We start out as sinners, opposed to God. The Saviour did not come for the good, but those hopelessly lost without Him. Jesus said, “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). Our most desperate need—salvation from our sins—can only be obtained by faith in Jesus as our substitute and Saviour according to God’s plan.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:11–14

From the very first Christmas night, the remembrance of Christ’s birth has been a joyful and happy time—a time to celebrate. As the angels told the shepherds of the birth of the Saviour, their words were filled with praise to God as they rejoiced at the working of God’s plan. And we rejoice at this wonderful time of year as well.

Yes, this busy season is often pressure-filled and stressful. There are long lines in the stores, presents to find, and meals to plan. But we must never lose sight of the purpose and meaning of Christmas. If we remain focused on the amazing gift of God’s Son, we will find more peace in our hearts and more praise on our lips.

And as we celebrate, we should never forget that the joyful news of Christmas is not meant to be restricted to those who already understand the true meaning of this holiday. The message of salvation through Jesus Christ is meant for all, and it is our duty and privilege to share it with the world, just as the shepherds told all they met about what had happened. H. A. Ironside wrote, “There are good tidings of great joy for all people, not just for a limited number, but for all people. All men everywhere are invited to put their trust in the Saviour whom God has sent into the world.”

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

Luke 2:15–17

John Wesley Work, Jr. led the Fisk Jubilee Singers from 1898 to 1904. During that time they traveled across the country bringing their music, including many of the spirituals from the days of slavery to those who had never heard them before. Work was responsible for writing down the melodies for many of these songs which had only existed orally before. A number of them were published in hymnals, including what was originally called the “Plantation Christmas Song.” Work’s son recalled how early Christmas morning, before the sun came up, the students would go from building to building on campus singing what we know now as “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds were the first to share the message of the birth of Jesus with the world, but the task that they started is still vitally important in our day. The world is in darkness, and they will only know that the Light has come if someone shares the Good News with them. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). Every believer has the privilege and responsibility of telling others about Jesus.

“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.”

Joshua 1:1–3

At the end of a year, many people stop to reflect on what has transpired in the last twelve months. There are many different measures of success people use for their standard by which to evaluate. Some focus on career achievement or advancement. Others highlight financial success or measure their year by what the stock market did. Some use the accomplishments of their children or grandchildren as a measuring stick. Churches might look at their attendance or offerings. But the measure of success that should matter most to us is what God thinks of what we have done.

After Moses’ life, God referred to him with a single phrase that summed up his life: “Moses the servant of the Lord.” It wasn’t the parting of the Red Sea or leading Israel through the wilderness that were the most significant measuring sticks of Moses’ “success.” It was that he served God. Everything else was a byproduct of his service to the Lord.

Similarly, when God selected Joshua as the replacement for Moses who would lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, He did not focus on his organizational abilities or military prowess, though both of those were real and had been demonstrated time and again during the forty years of wandering the wilderness. Instead, God looked at the way Joshua had faithfully served Moses.

The world may not value ministering to the needs of others, but God holds it in high regard. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

“For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.”

Psalm 78:39–42

When God called Abram to leave Ur and go out to a land that would become his inheritance, the “father of the faithful” responded in obedience. When he finally reached the land that would become Israel, God described to him the borders of the promise—which included some 300,000 square miles of land. Though Israel would claim the land under Joshua, and a great kingdom would later be established under David and Solomon, at no point did they ever claim all of the land God had promised. In fact, the greatest extent of their possession was only around 10 percent of the promise to Abraham.

So many times we fail to see God work as He has promised and decide as a result that the problem is with Him. In reality, the problem is with us turning away from what God offers because we do not obey Him. When we suffer the consequences that come from our disobedience, that is not God letting us down. Instead, that is the life of limitation and lack that we have chosen when we fail to live in such a way that we can claim His promises and blessings.

The problem of powerless living is not with God but with us. “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1–2). Our sins limit God’s work in our lives.

“Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.”

Psalm 76:7–10

William Tyndale set out with a simple goal—to translate the Bible into English so that the people could read for themselves what God had said. He believed that putting the Bible into the common language would expose and do much to correct the false doctrine preached from the pulpits of English churches. He was right—and he was hated for it. Tyndale spent much of his adult life on the run from the authorities. The story is told that when his first New Testament was published, the government bought up all the copies they could to keep people from reading them, but those profits provided the resources for Tyndale to continue his work and produce a more complete translation.

God does not promise that no one will oppose us when we set out to do something for Him. What He does promise is to go with us and meet our needs. Often God uses the very opposition we face as a crucial part of His plan for us to accomplish what He has set before us. If we become discouraged and give up when things don’t go as we would like or think they should, we will surely never accomplish anything of lasting value.

We should look for God’s hand in the opposition we face. We must never forget that He is able to turn even the worst circumstances to further His purposes. It was the persecution of the early church that God used to quickly spread the gospel around the world. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

Jeremiah 29:11–14

Jeremiah lived in a time of great turmoil. Enemy armies had come to his homeland and looted the temple in Jerusalem dedicated to the worship of Jehovah. The people had turned against the Lord time and again, worshiping false gods and enjoying the sin that they knew God hated. Yet despite the bitter harvest of consequences they were reaping, God had not forgotten them. It is easy for us to look around and think that there is no hope—that things will only get worse.

But with God nothing is impossible. The powers of this world are a significant nothingness before His might. The needs of this world are no challenge to His unlimited resources. The evil in this world may be great, but it will not prevail against Him. In fact, though the final victory has not yet been given to us, it has already been won for us by Jesus Christ, and nothing the devil can do will change that. The best tool Satan can use against us is to cause us to doubt God. When we are in difficulty, it is more important than ever that we look to Him and trust His promises.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

1 John 3:1–3

No one was closer to Jesus while He was on earth than John. Even among the “inner circle” disciples (Peter, James, and John), John sensed a special place in the Lord’s affection. In the Gospel account John recorded, he even referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” I can’t think of a better title or description that any of us could receive—John had a close, personal, meaningful relationship with the Lord that characterized his entire life.

But that’s not all, because John walked closely with Jesus, he was easily identified as being like Jesus. Acts 4:13 records, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

Though none of us will achieve perfect Christlikeness here on earth, it should be our heart’s fervent desire to become more and more like the Lord. And the way we do that is not mystical or hidden. The more clearly and closely we see Him and the more time we spend in His presence, the more His attributes and nature will show in our lives. The more His Spirit continually fills and empowers us, the more others will see Jesus when they look at us.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

Ezekiel 36:26–28

Over and over as I counsel with people, I hear them express a longing for a change in their circumstances. So many people believe that if they just had a better job or a better marriage or better parents or a better church, their lives would be transformed. But the reality is that the biggest change anyone needs, is a change of heart. Changing external people or circumstances only provides temporary relief at best, for the problems we have arise from within, not from without.

Repeated studies into the lives of people who win large lottery jackpots reveal a consistent pattern. A great majority of those people are worse off five years later than they were before their windfall. No amount of outward change in circumstances or conditions can fix a problem that has its roots in the heart. Jesus said, “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man” (Matthew 7:15).

More than anything else in our nation, our churches and our own lives, we need people who have a heart toward God. The things that we love most dictate how we use our time and invest our resources. If God is first, as He should be, then every decision and action will reflect our love for Him.

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.”

Psalm 32:8–10

I read a fascinating story from the final days of World War II. An American B-29 bomber was tasked with attacking targets in Kokura, Japan. As was normal procedure, they were assigned a secondary target in case the weather kept them from reaching their primary objective. Sure enough they found the clouds over Kokura too thick to find their targets, and after an hour of circling, they diverted to their secondary objective with some frustration. It was not until weeks later that they learned that, unknown to American intelligence, the Japanese had transferred a huge number of American prisoners of war to Kokura just days before that raid. The officer who received this news said, “Thank God for that protecting cloud! If the city hadn’t been hidden from the bomber, it would have been destroyed and thousands of American boys would have died.”

Each new year we enter into territory that is shrouded and unclear to our eyes. While we may expect certain things to happen, none of us know what the future holds. When we cannot see the path, it is more important than ever that we trust in God. So many times we are tempted to take matters into our hands when God does not work as quickly as we think He should. But He never makes a mistake, and we can trust in Him no matter what seeming delays we experience. Often it is only as we look back over the years that we see how God has worked.

“And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.”

Exodus 3:7–9

Frank Graeff spent much of his life as a pastor working with children and teens. He was known for his cheerful outlook on life. One friend described him as, “A spiritual optimist, a great friend of children; his bright sun-shining disposition attracts him not only to children, but to all with whom he comes in contact.” But Graeff suffered from frequent serious illnesses that limited his work for God. One day, in despair he turned to the pages of Scripture for comfort and was greatly encouraged by 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Not long after, Graeff penned the words we now sing:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

God is not oblivious to our pain and suffering. He knows our sorrows. And in the fullness of His time and His plan, He brings comfort. God has never abandoned or forsaken His children. We should never doubt that God cares about what brings pain and suffering into our lives.

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

Hebrews 11:23–26

The course of our lives is determined by the choices we make. It is not our wishes, our intentions, or our resolutions that shape our destiny, but the actions we choose when confronted by decision points in life. There are not a few miraculously blessed people who coast through life without any problems, never having to make a hard choice. Everyone comes to points where they must turn left or turn right—and what we do in those moments determines where we will end up in life.

Moses would not have lived to adulthood without the choice of his parents to hide him from Pharaoh’s evil decree that all the Hebrew baby boys be murdered. And Moses would not have been chosen by God to lead Israel out of bondage in Egypt had he not chosen to turn his back on the pleasures offered a young man in the palace of the king and stand with God’s people instead.

The thing about difficult choices is that we do not know how they will turn out, even if we choose what is right to the best of our knowledge. Sometimes there is great earthly reward for obedience to God. But sometimes the reward of faith is only seen later. But the correctness of our decision is not determined based on earthly outcome. It is determined by whether we act in obedience and faith.

“Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”

Exodus 3:10–12

When the time came for God to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt and take them back to the land He had promised to Abraham, He appeared to Moses in the bush that burned but was not destroyed.

Forty years earlier, Moses had expected to be recognized and accepted as the leader of the Israelites, but instead had to flee for his life, and had then spent four decades in the desert tending to sheep. That was a far cry from the luxury he had enjoyed in the palace of Pharaoh. It was this humbled man that God chose to bring about a great deliverance.

God did not need Moses’ help. He could have sent a single angel to overthrow all the armies of Egypt. He could have appeared in His glory and escorted Israel to the Promised Land. But God always uses people for His work in the world. He doesn’t use perfect people, because there aren’t any of those. Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. liked to say, “God can hit mighty straight licks with crooked sticks.”

When we accept God’s calling and undertake His work, He equips us and goes with us so that we have all that we need to do whatever He asks. It is a privilege and an honor to be commissioned by God. He doesn’t need us, but He graciously uses us—and then rewards our faithful obedience.

“But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day. Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance: But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.”

Deuteronomy 4:20–22

The popular teaching in many religious circles of our day is that life for God’s children should not have any bumps in the road—raises, promotions, better houses and cars, good health, and continued advancement should be expected. It’s easy to understand why people like to hear such teaching, but it contradicts what the Bible actually says. God’s Word reveals that God’s plan for His beloved children often includes great trials and severe testing.

The reality is that often the very troubles that are so painful prepare us for the plan God has for our lives. The experiences we endure are the equipping that God knows we will need for what He has in store for us. At a very difficult time in the life of the nation of Israel, God sent this message through the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10).

If we refuse to remain in the fire until God’s work is done, our lives will not be refined and made more useful. But we have the wonderful promise that God never abandons or forsakes us. If His plan involves placing us into the furnace, we will find Him there with us, just as the three Hebrew children did in their day.

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

2 Corinthians 6:16–18

There is a great temptation to adapt ourselves to our surroundings so that we fit in rather than stand apart as the people of God. Even many churches are becoming more and more like the world. There is too often an unwillingness on the part of Christians to be looked down on or mocked for being different.

This is not the first time this issue has been faced, however. Charles Spurgeon decried the danger of compromising with the world in an effort to reach the world in a sermon preached 130 years ago when he said, “This is the suggestion of the present hour: If the world will not come to Jesus.... Shall not the church go down to the world? Instead of bidding men to be converted, and come out from among sinners, and be separate from them, let us join with the ungodly world, enter into union with it, and so pervade it with our influence by allowing it to influence us. Let us have a Christian world.”

The plan of becoming more like the world did not work in Spurgeon’s day, and it will not work in ours. God is still looking for faithful men and women who are willing to endure reproach for the cause of Christ as they share the message of the gospel.

“I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.”

Psalm 77:11–14

All Christians, and perhaps especially those of us who grew up in Christian homes and were saved at a young age, face the danger of forgetting all that God has done for us. Over time we become accustomed to His grace and greatness and take for granted the blessings from which we benefit so often. This is a tragedy for us, because when we cease to be grateful it will not be long before we turn away from following Him.

But it is also a tragedy for those who come after us. Parents, grandparents, and older believers play a powerful role in keeping the faith alive for coming generations. There are no guarantees that those who follow us will see God as a real power and presence in their lives. In fact, it was not many years after the death of Joshua that God’s power became only dimly remembered by the Israelites: “And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites” (Judges 6:13).

Each time we rejoice and give thanks for God’s goodness, we build not only our own faith, but we also invest in the future. We must remind ourselves and share with others the mighty works of God in our lives so that they will never forgotten.

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

Matthew 14:27–30

When Jesus came walking on the water to where the disciples were fighting a fierce storm, He was doing something none of them had ever seen before. It’s important to remember that many of them were experienced sailors who knew the difference between a minor storm and a life-threatening downpour. They were terrified, but then Jesus showed up. Rather than being comforted, they were initially even more terrified, thinking they were seeing some kind of ghost. Even after Jesus spoke to them they were still unsure.

Then Peter, with his customary impetuousness came up with a way to confirm that it was really Jesus. He asked Jesus if it really were Him, that He would call Peter out onto the water. And in response to the command of Jesus, Peter got out of the boat and successfully walked across the water just as Jesus was doing…until he took his eyes off Jesus and began to focus on his surroundings.

This story is a powerful demonstration of God’s equipping and enabling that prepares us for His service. None of us are likely to need to join Peter on the surface of the Sea of Galilee, but all of us are called to get out of our boats—to go beyond what we have done before and take on new challenges and responsibilities. In those moments we must not rely on our own strength and resources, and we must not focus on the difficulties around us. Instead, we must look to Jesus and follow His voice. Only in the power of God can we find the ability to accomplish what He calls us to do and experience His peace in the time of storms.