Month: December 2023

Luke 15:3-7

In Luke 15:3-7 Jesus told the religious leaders the parable of the lost sheep after they criticized Him. “All the tax collectors and sinners came near Jesus to listen to Him” (v.1,3). “The Pharisees and scribes muttered and complained that He accepted and welcomed sinners and ate with them” (v.2). Unfortunately, isn’t that what we believers do – more often than not? 

Jesus asked, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, [searching] until he finds it (v.4)? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing (v.5). And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep (v.6)!’ I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance” (v.7).

Jesus wanted those hypocritical leaders to know that He came to save the lost. A man searched the wilderness until he found his missing sheep and carried it home, rejoicing. When he got home, he called his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. Jesus declared that there will be rejoicing in heaven just like that over one sinner who repents; the ninety-nine are righteous and need no repentance.

In 2024 rejoice and declare, “I once was lost but now I’m found,” and let God’s purpose manifest in you. 

John 3:16

Throughout the world many people are preparing for Christmas, a Christian holiday, celebrating the birth of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. However, before Jesus was born, many prophets at different times through the years foretold of His coming. Mankind had fallen from God’s grace and needed a Savior. As predicted, in God’s plan when the time was right, He sent His Son – His perfect gift to save an imperfect world.  

During this Christmas season, we have many traditions. One of the most popular is gift-giving of all kind and value. So, how did this tradition become a part of celebrating Jesus’ birthday when the gifts are not for Him? Perhaps, because gift-giving has both historical and biblical significance, the act is a means of expressing love and kindness for one another. We say all the time that love is an action word. Consider Matthew’s story of the wise men who came to worship Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. They “presented to Him gifts [fit for a king, gifts] of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11b). James told us that every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above. John said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] will not perish but have eternal life” (v.16). That’s how perfect God’s gift to an imperfect world is!  

So, come on everybody; let’s celebrate Jesus – the perfect gift of God, the   Savior of the world. Merry Christmas and may God bless you.

Psalm 130:6-8, NKJV

The psalmist continued to trust in God’s word, waiting for his soul to be redeemed. He knew that in God’s word was the promise of salvation. He declared that his soul waited for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning – yes, more than those who watch for the morning(v.6). In other words, he waited patiently for the Lord’s help and deliverance. To show how strong his waiting for the Lord was, he repeated “more than those who watch for the morning.”

Then the psalmist encouraged Israel to hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is: mercy, abundant redemption (v.7), and God’s promise to redeem Israel from all their iniquities (v.8). His desire was for others to have the blessing of hoping in the Lord too. Just as the psalmist held firmly to his belief that God was full of mercy and redemption, so must we. God is gracious to all, and His mercy endures forever. He promised Israel and Christians that He will redeem them from all their sins and iniquities; He is a promise keeper. Hold firm to hope in the Lord, declaring those things that are not seen and are still to come. Hebrews 11:7 says: “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Jesus is our Redeemer. Celebrate Him in this season of advent. Let the redeemed shout, “Glory!”

Psalm 130:1-5, NKJV

Everyone suffers trials and tribulations in this fallen world. Like the psalmist, believers have the right to pray and cry out of the depths of their sufferings to the Lord (v.1). He prayed with an urgency, asking the Lord to hear his voice, and let His ears be attentive to his supplications (v.2). In v.3 the psalmist humbly acknowledged the Lord’s power: “If You, Lord, should take note of iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” He knew the answer; we all have sinned and come short of God’s glory.  

In spite of our shortcomings, the God of providence is gracious. He offers us forgiveness of our sins through faith in His Son Jesus Christ and everlasting life, or we may reject His offer and have everlasting damnation. When we fear the Lord, we respect and honor the true and living God, seeking His kingdom first and all His righteousness.

In v.5 the psalmist declared that he waits for the Lord, his soul waits, and in God’s word he does hope. The psalmist knew that in trouble he needed to wait on the Lord to deliver him from the hands of man and from the grip of Satan. His hopes in God’s word; it is truth. God is good to those who trust in and hope in His word. Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63b). 

Today, will you declare in this season of advent, “I am waiting for the redemption of the Lord?” Clap your hands and give God glory!

Romans 15:8-13, NKJV

God sent many prophets at different times in history. They predicted the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who would save His people from their sins. Jesus Christ’s coming as aminister to the Jews, showed that God was truth, confirming the promises He made to their fathers (v.8), and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy and coming to save them. In John10:16 Jesus spoke of the Gentiles as His other sheep not of this fold, and He must bring them also. They would listen to His voice, pay attention to His call, and with the Jews they would become one flock with one Shepherd.

Paul continues: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people (v.10)!”

And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples (v.11)!”

In verses 10-11 the Gentiles are encouraged to rejoice with the Jews and praise the Lord. Everybody, praise Him for His mercy and your salvation.

And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope (v.12).” Paul prophesied there will be a descendant of Jesse’s to reign as King over the Gentiles. This is the king in whom the Gentiles will trust and have hope. The prayer is that the God of hope fill the Gentiles with all joy and peace in believing, that they may abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises by the power of the Holy Spirit (v.13).

Will you glorify God as He fills you with joy and peace? Abound always in His hope.