Author: evangelist_breland

2 Corinthians 1:3-7, NKJV; NLT

When we think of the goodness of God and all He’s done for us, we can’t help but praise Him. In vv. 3-4 Paul blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We all have suffered various trials and needed comfort. Because God is the Father of mercies, He comforts us whenever troubles come. Why does He do this? It is because He is a God of purpose whose desire is to help those who trust and obey Him. He gives us comfort in all our tribulation so that we will be loving and kind to others, giving them the same kind of comfort He gave to us. 

“For as the sufferings of Christ (2 Cor. 11:23-28) abound in us, so our consolation, or comfort, also abounds through Christ” (v.5). There will be times when Christians suffer various trials; James said, “count it all joy.” Every time children of God are betrayed, abused, or as a gospel song writer said: lied on, scorned, talked about, sho’s you born, the sufferings of Christ abound in us. Because we share in Christ’s pain through different trials, our consolation also abounds through Him.

Paul continued that even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer (v.6, NLT). We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us (v.7, NLT).

Clap your hands and give God glory!

Matthew 17:14-21, NKJV 

After Jesus’ disciples failed to heal a father’s son of epilepsy, the father came to Jesus. Jesus reprimanded His disciples, calling them a faithless and perverse generation. After all, He had given them power “over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (10:1). Then He commanded them to bring the child to Him.

Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy; he was healed right then (v.18). The demon did not know who the disciples were, but it knew who Jesus was. We cannot do anything unless Jesus abides in us and we in Him. That personal relationship is necessary; it is through faith in Christ that believers get power to produce fruit. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, asking why they could not cast out the demon (v.19). Jesus told them it was because of their unbelief; if they had faith as a mustard seed, they could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you (v.20). However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (v.21). Sometimes, Children of God, we’ve got to pray and fast.

Jesus declared that if the disciples only had mustard seed faith, they could speak and cast out the demon, and nothing will be impossible. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Jesus said that this demon goes out only by prayer and fasting. Pray and fast. Have faith in God or be powerless.

Give God glory!

Matthew 17:14-21, NKJV

This passage took place the day after Jesus took three of His disciples: Peter, James, and John up in a high mountain and transfigured before them. When they came down from the mountain, a man from the multitude came and knelt down before Jesus (v.14). He asked the Lord to have mercy on his son who suffered severely from epilepsy, often falling into the fire and often into the water (v.15). The man brought his son to Jesus’ disciples, but they could not cure him (v.16). Jesus responded: “Ofaithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to Me” (v17). 

The father believed Jesus’ disciples could heal his son of epilepsy, but when they failed, he came to Jesus. He desperately wanted his son healed. The epileptic attacks were severe, and his son  sometimes fell in fire and sometimes in water. Jesus reprimanded His disciples: “O faithless and perverse generation.” He asked, “how long will He be with them and how long will He put up with them?” Jesus commanded they bring the child to Him. 

Believers must have faith in God; faith comes from Him. Therefore, the power to do the good works He has prepared for us is in Him. Our faith stirs Him to move on our behalf. 

Children of God, we may live in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, but let’s be that beacon of light, shining out clearly in this faithless world. 

Give God glory!

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.