“And you, Bethlehem-Ephrates… from you… will come the One who will be the Lord in Israel.” — Micah 5:1
In November 1962, physicist John Mockley said, “There is no reason to believe that the average boy or girl cannot master a personal computer.” Mockley’s prediction seemed amazing at the time, but it turned out to be surprisingly accurate. Today, using a computer or portable gadget is one of the first skills a child acquires.
However, not only Mockley’s prediction came true. Much more important biblical prophecies regarding the coming of Christ were also fulfilled. For example, in the Book of the Prophet Micah 5:1 it is said: “And you, Bethlehem-Ephrates, although you are small among the thousands of Judah, from you will come to Me the One who will be the Ruler in Israel, and His will be long-standing, from the days of eternity.” God sent Jesus, who arrived in tiny Bethlehem, and marked Him as a representative of the royal family of David (see Lk. 2:4-7).
The Bible, which accurately predicted the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, also promises His return (Acts 1:11). Jesus promised His first followers that He would return for them (John 14:1-4).
This Christmas, as we meditate on the foretold facts surrounding Jesus’ birth, let us think about His promised return and let Him prepare us for that glorious moment when we will see Him in person!
How can you respond in worship to the truth of the prophecies about the birth of Christ? How does His promise to return for us affect your decision-making?
Loving Father, I am very grateful for the birth of Jesus Christ and for His mission of salvation and redemption. Thank you that He will definitely come back for me.
Author: Bill Crowder
“And when they saw the dawn, they were extremely happy.” — Matthew 2:10
“If you find that star, you can always find your way home.” These were the words of my father when he taught me to find the North Star when I was a child. Dad served in the Armed Forces during the war, and there were times when his life depended on his ability to navigate the night sky. So he made sure I knew the names and locations of several constellations, but most important was the ability to find the North Star. Knowing the location of this star meant that I could orient myself to the terrain and find where I needed to be.
The Holy Scriptures speak of another star of great importance. “Wise men from the east”, learned men (from the territory that today covers Iran and Iraq) looked in the sky for signs of the birth of the One who was to become God’s King for His people. They came to Jerusalem and asked: “Where was the King of the Jews born? For we saw his star in the east, and we came to worship him” (Mt. 2:1-2).
Astronomers do not know what caused the star of Bethlehem to appear, but the Bible says that it was created by God to point the world to Jesus, to the “bright star” (Revelation 22:16). Christ came to save us from our sins and lead us to God. Follow Him and you will find the way to the eternal home.
How will you practically follow Jesus today? What can you do this week to share His love with others?
Lord Jesus, thank you for being the way to my eternal home in heaven. Please help me to be guided by Your light today!
Author: James Banks
“Therefore comfort one another, and build one another up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I don’t know who is responsible for turning off the lights and locking up the church premises after the Sunday service, but I do know one thing about this person – Sunday lunch will be delayed. Why? Because many people like to stay in the church after the service and talk about life’s problems, difficulties and many other things. It’s great to look around twenty minutes after the service and see so many people still enjoying their fellowship with one another.
Communication is a key component of the Christian life. Without the connection that comes from spending time with other believers, we would lose many of the benefits of faith.
For example, the apostle Paul calls: “Comfort…one another, and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews urges us not to neglect joint gatherings, because we need mutual support (Heb. 10:25). He also says that when we are together, we encourage each other “to love and to good works” (v. 24).
By consecrating our lives to Jesus, we prepare to show faithfulness and service, supporting the weak and showing patience to everyone (1 Thess. 5:14). Such a way of life makes it possible to develop a true community and care “for the good of one another and of all” (v. 15).
How do you benefit from communicating with believers? How can you help others experience community in Christ?
Dear God, please help me to encourage others in love and mercy.
Author: David Brenon
“He is our peace, who made one of the two and destroyed the middle partition, enmity.” — Ephesians 2:14
Since 1961, families and friends have been separated by the Berlin Wall. A barrier erected by the East German government prevented citizens from fleeing to West Germany. According to researchers, more than 2.5 million East Germans fled to the West from 1949 to the day the wall was erected. In 1987, US President Ronald Reagan stood by the wall and said: “Tear down this wall!” His words reflected a wave of change that culminated in the fall of the wall in 1989, leading to the joyous reunification of Germany.
The apostle Paul wrote that Jesus “destroyed the middle partition, the enmity” (Eph. 2:14). The wall existed between the Jews (God’s chosen people) and the Gentiles (all other people). Its symbol was the “central partition” in the ancient temple built by Herod the Great in Jerusalem. She did not allow the Gentiles to go outside the outer courts of the temple, although they could see the inner courts. Jesus brought “peace” and reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, as well as between God and all people. For this, He “destroyed the middle partition, enmity, with His body” (v. 14). The gospel of peace made it possible for everyone to unite through faith in Christ (vv. 17-18).
Many things can divide us. However, let’s try to live in peace and unity in Jesus Christ (vv. 19-22).
What “partitions” do you see? How can you help destroy them with the power of Jesus?
Lord Jesus, please help me break down the walls that block the way of Your truth and love.
Author: Tom Felten
“Have hope in God, because I will still thank Him for His salvation, my God!” — Psalm 41:12
My mom’s shiny red cross should be hanging by her bedside in the cancer center. And I should prepare for holiday visits in the breaks between planned procedures. All I wanted for Christmas was to spend one more day with my mother. Instead, I was at home… and hanging her cross on the Christmas tree.
As my son Xavier turned on the garlands, I whispered, “Thank you.” He answered: “Please.” My son did not know that I was thanking God that He used flickering light bulbs to direct my eyes to the eternal Light of hope – Jesus Christ.
The author of Psalm 41 expressed his sincere emotions to God (vv. 2-5). Then the nature of his speech changes, and he says: “Have hope in God, because I will still thank Him for His salvation” (v. 6). Despite the fact that the psalmist is overwhelmed by sadness and suffering, his hope is revived by the memory of God’s faithfulness in the past (vv. 7-11). At the end of the psalm, he rejects doubts and affirms the steadfastness of purified faith: “Why are you sad, my soul, and why are you worried about me? Have hope in God, because I will still thank Him for the salvation of His, my God” (v. 12).
For many of us, the Christmas season brings both joy and sadness. Fortunately, even these mixed emotions can be enlightened by the promises of the true Light of hope – the Lord Jesus Christ.
How did the Lord Jesus help you overcome grief during the celebration of Christmas? How can you support someone who is grieving during this time?
Dear Jesus, thank you for guiding me through times of sorrow and joy throughout the year.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“I am the One who blots out your transgressions… and does not remember your sins.” — Isaiah 43:25
Jill Price was born with hyperthymesia, the ability to remember everything that ever happened to her in minute detail. She can recreate in her imagination an exact picture of any event that she experienced during her life.
The TV series “Unforgettable” is based on the story of a female police officer with hyperthymesia, which gave her a great advantage in memory games and solving crimes. However, for Jill Price, this state is not so happy. She cannot forget the moments in her life when she was criticized, when she experienced a loss or did something that she deeply regrets. She replays these scenes over and over in her head.
Our God is omniscient. The Holy Scriptures say that His understanding knows no bounds. And yet we find a very encouraging thing in the Book of the prophet Isaiah: “I am the One who blots out your transgressions… and does not remember your sins” (Is. 43:25). The text of the Epistle to the Hebrews 10:10, 17 only strengthens this idea: “We are sanctified by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ… And their sins and their injustices I will remember no more.”
By confessing our sins to God, we can stop dwelling on them again and again. We must reject them: “Do not remember the past, and do not think about the old days” (Is. 43:18). In His great love, God chooses not to remember our sins. Let’s remember this.
What sins do you keep in your memory and recall them again and again? How can you give them to God and let go of the past?
Dear God, thank you for forgiving and forgetting my sins.
Author: Kenneth Petersen
“And the sun shone upon him when he crossed Penuel. And he limped on his thigh.” — Genesis 32:32
Faye touched the scars on her stomach. She underwent another operation to remove a cancerous tumor. This time, the doctors removed part of the stomach and left an uneven scar that testified to the extent of their work. Faye told her husband, “Scars are symbols of suffering or healing. I choose the latter. They are signs of my healing.”
Jacob faced a similar choice after his nightly struggle with God. The angel injured his thigh, leaving Jacob emaciated and with a noticeable limp. When Jacob massaged his thigh months later, I wonder what he was thinking?
Was he full of regret for his years of deception that led to this fateful match? God’s messenger tried to get the truth out of him, refusing to bless him until Jacob admitted who he really was. He confessed that he was Jacob, “the one holding on to the heel” (see Genesis 25:26). He deceived his brother Esau and father-in-law Laban to gain an advantage. God’s fighter said that Jacob’s new name will be “Israel, because you have fought with God and with people, and you have prevailed” (v. 29).
Jacob’s lameness symbolized the death of his old life in deception and the beginning of a new life with God. The end of Jacob and the beginning of Israel. His lameness forced him to lean on God, who was now powerfully working in him and through him.
What spiritual scars do you have? How can they symbolize the end of something bad and the beginning of something new?
Heavenly Father, my lameness is a sign of Your love.
Author: Mike Whittmer
“The Lord is near! Do not worry about anything, but in everything let your desires be revealed to God.” — Philippians 4:5-6
For more than thirty years, Lourdes, a vocal teacher in Manila, has taught students face-to-face. But when she was asked to teach online, she became worried. “I’m not very computer savvy,” she said. “My laptop is old and I’m not familiar with video conferencing platforms.”
For someone it may seem like a small thing, but for her it was a real stress. “I live alone, so there is no one to help me, she said. I am afraid that my students will drop out, and I need income.”
Before each class, Lourdes prayed that her laptop would work properly. “The screen saver on my screen was Philippians 4:5-6,” she said, “how I clung to those words!”
The Apostle Paul urges us not to worry about anything, because “the Lord is near” (Phil. 4:5). God’s promise of His presence is something we must hold on to. If we rest in God’s closeness, His peace “keeps the hearts… and… thoughts in Christ Jesus” (v. 7).
“God led me to computer troubleshooting websites,” Lourdes said. “He also gave me patient students who understood my technological limitations.” God’s presence, His help, and His peace are what we can enjoy as we strive to follow Him all the days of our lives. We can confidently say: “Rejoice in the Lord always, and I say again: rejoice!” (v. 4).
How do you find comfort in God’s presence? What specific requests can you make to Him today?
Dear God, thank you for being with me. In your presence, I don’t have to worry about anything.
Author: Karen Huang
“For the Lord rebukes with wickedness, but He has friendship with the righteous.” — Proverbs 3:32
David and Angie felt called to move overseas, and subsequent fruitful ministry seemed to only confirm the correctness of the decision. Life was overshadowed by only one unpleasantness: David’s elderly parents were forced to spend Christmas alone.
David and Angie tried to ease his parents’ loneliness by sending gifts and calling on Christmas morning. However, what his parents really wanted: their personal presence. David’s income allowed him to come home only occasionally. What else could they do? David needed wisdom.
The third chapter of the Book of Proverbs is a crash course in the search for wisdom. He shows how to obtain it by turning to God (vv. 5-6), describes its various qualities, including love and faithfulness (vv. 3-4, 7-12), as well as its benefits, such as peace and longevity (vv. 13-18). “For the Lord abhors wickedness, but He has friendship with the righteous” (v. 32). He tells His decisions to those who are close to Him.
One night, as David was praying about his problem, an idea came to him. The next Christmas, he and Angie put on their best clothes and set the table. David’s parents did the same. Then, after setting up the laptops, they turned on the video link. It felt like they were in the same room. Since then, it has become a family tradition.
God gave David His wisdom. He likes to suggest creative solutions to our problems.
What dilemma are you facing? What loving solution can God offer you?
Heavenly Father, please guide my heart to creative problem solving.
Author: Sheridan Voysey
“And they were… in a fraternal community.” — Acts 2:42
In the south of the Bahamas is a small piece of land called Ragged Island. In the 19th century, salt was actively mined here, but due to the decline of this industry, many people emigrated to the neighboring islands. In 2016, fewer than eighty people lived on the island. And although there were representatives of three religious denominations among them, people gathered together in one place every week for worship and fellowship. With so few residents, a sense of community was especially important to them.
The believers of the early church also felt a strong need and desire for community. They were excited about their newfound faith, made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, He was no longer physically present with them, so they understood that they needed each other. Christians devoted themselves to learning from the apostles, fellowship, and communion together (Acts 2:42). They gathered in homes for worship and shared meals, and cared for the needs of others. “Those who believed had one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32). Filled with the Holy Spirit, they constantly glorified God and brought their needs to Him in prayer.
Community is essential to our growth and support. Don’t try to walk this path alone. God will foster this sense of community as you share your struggles and joys with others and draw closer to Him together.
How can you commit to spending time with other believers? Where and when will you do it?
God, I need You and other believers to be able to live a full life for You.
By Ann Sitas
