Month: December 2025

As a Believer, the world is attempting to win you over everyday. It bombards you with seductive things to click on, coaxing you to just try it once. It tries to persuade you that your life is boring, and you deserve to have a little fun. And it continuingly cajoles you that your lifestyle needs spicing up. The world wants you to develop FOMO…fear of missing out. But what the world doesn’t realize is that all good things come from God…for great is His goodness. (Zachariah 9:17) And as we follow Him, goodness and mercy shall follow us. (Psalm 23:6) For Psalm 84:11 tells us that, “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” So don’t fall for the bait the world dangles in front of you…it will never measure up to the blessed protection and provision God supplies.

God is the source of all life and light, but we seem to have problems abiding in this when it comes to our natural virtues…our character traits, morals, merits, and noteworthy qualities. But when put side by side with the Divine characteristics of Jesus Christ, there’s no comparison. That’s because as mere mortal beings we sorely lack perception, insight, and wisdom into the eternal things of God and His desire for us to become more Christ-like. So what can we do? In Ephesians, Paul writes of putting off the old life and old way of living and the putting on or embracing of the new one. He speaks of God creating “one new man” in Christ, (Ephesians 2:15-16)…this process called sanctification. This is when God causes our confidence in our own natural virtues to wither away…until all we see is the example of Jesus to follow. In Galatians 3:27, Paul describes this conversion as “putting on Christ.” For if we think about it, none of our natural virtues will ever come close to Christ’s perfect life and ideal model for us to follow.

This passage highlights the dual nature of God, showing both His lovingkindness and severity… and serves as a warning to all Believers to remain steadfast in their faith. The grace of God is a gift we enjoy everyday, to the point we take it for granted. But God’s riches of kindness, tolerance, and patience are to lead us towards repentance not apathy. (Romans 2:4) For the kindness of God is intended to produce sorrow for our sin and a turning away from it. So this is a good reminder of God’s Divine generosity, giving us what we don’t deserve…all the while being cognizant of the consequences of rejecting His love. For God’s desire for His people has always been for transformation rather than judgment.

The difference between contentment and discontent in our life really has nothing to do with material worldly things. That’s because, we can have it all and still be dissatisfied and filled with bitterness. But Hebrews 13:5 reminds us to be content with what we have. So why is contentment so elusive? We only need to look to Philippians 4:11 and the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “I have learned in whatever the situation, I am to be content.” But what makes this statement so surprising is that Paul was not writing this in the loveliness of a quiet garden, but in the dark dankness of a Roman prison. So the key word here is “learn”. Paul grasped the understanding that God was his source, (Psalm 87:7) and that he could trust Him to meet all his needs. (II Timothy 6:6-8) Although Paul never denied the reality of his needs…he chose to testify that he could find gratitude and contentment, whether in plenty or in want.

In Luke 1:37, we read that nothing is impossible with God…that Greek phrase translated to express the idea of “no word or promise” is unattainable by God. But when we’re facing enormous difficulties, incurable disease, or unforeseen trauma it’s almost impossible for us to remain hopeful that God will intervene. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus chastised His disciples for their lack of faith and confidence that God could do the unexpected. But He’s still God of the suddenly…and proves it over and over again by showing up at just the perfect time providing solutions and hope. We just need to remember that God is ever present, and always working behind the scenes…guiding and directing in ways we have no idea about until suddenly He intercedes on our behalf.

God values inward transformation in us above any visible religious achievements. For those religious “works” are nothing if our conduct doesn’t line up with our vain and arrogant words. Acts 3:19 tells us that we are to turn from our sin and turn to God in faith…for He is always ready to redeem those who repent and turn back to Him. (Ezekiel 33:11) But if there’s no inward change in us, there will be no evidence of fruit, (Galatians 5: 22-24) That’s because our conduct as a Believer will always bear the fruit of the Spirit that glorifies God, never ourselves.

The gift God offers you today you will never find under the Christmas tree. It is the free gift of Salvation through His one and only son, Jesus Christ. It is so precious of a gift that Jesus died in order to give it to you. For it’s not the kind of gift that you can causally open and set aside…because it cost Jesus everything. So today, on Christmas Day, I urge you to accept this gift God wants you to have…for you’ll never be the same.

There was a huge difference between how the Jews thought the Messiah would come, and how Jesus actually came to earth. They expected the Messiah to be a military and political leader who would marshal Israel, restore the Temple, and establish peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7) They anticipated a larger than life powerful King that would deliver them from the iron rule of Roman occupation and oppression…leading them in a brilliant and victorious revolt. Thus, they took creative license in this writing of Jeremiah’s and interpreted it as an all-powerful man conquering the Roman Empire once and for all. What they wanted was a mighty King…but what they got was a tiny, vulnerable baby born in a obscure town that grew to be a simple, humble man who was crucified by the very Romans He was presumed to overthrow.

Isaiah gives us this Scripture of hope and trust even in the midst of the adversity we may find ourselves in. In Psalm 22:5 and Psalm 145:19 David writes of trusting God despite the anguish within, because God hears our cries of distress and will rescue us. And in Jeremiah 14:8 we see the vital role of God as our unwavering support and reliable hope in difficult times…allowing us to have assurance in affliction and trust in tribulation.

In this verse, the light of the Lord stands for God’s blessings, His Presence, and His revelation. For the Lord is the light shining in the darkness. (John 1:5) But it’s our decision whether we walk in the light or exchange it for the darkness of the world. Isaiah’s message to us today is that if we walk in the Lord’s way rather than the way of the world, His light and truth will illuminate our path and we will be blessed in our obedience.