The Most Important Resolution

 Wednesday, December 31, 2025

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.  Colossians 3:1-4

The Most Important Resolution

Every day I am thankful for a fresh new start.  A new day, a do-over, new mercies every morning. I am constantly striving to make things different in my life, to make them better, often feeling like I have just missed the mark, and too exhausted to keep going. So, I go to bed to start again tomorrow.

  

Are you as weary as I am?  Are you ready for a new life, a new beginning?  We as Christians can become a “new man” through Jesus Christ.  The “If then…” in the scripture above poses the question of Are You? Are you a born-again believer, Are you a child of God?  This passage is a challenge for us to become what we have been empowered to be.  We have the marks of a new creation on us.  

A Life Marked

The company Microsoft has a slogan that asks, "Where do you want to go today?"  It’s a good spiritual question to be asked of ourselves every day.  Deciding where you want go also decides what direction we want to go. 

“Every day you get up without a purpose, a goal and a plan you will live someone else’s.”

Two great tools for Satan are distraction and procrastination.  He does not have to get me to say I am not going to do something…just that I am not going to do it today.  Safeguard yourself against Satan’s tactics by seeking the things of God's design, desire, and direction.  

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above…

• Seek first the Kingdom of God.  
• Seek the things of God. 
• Put heaven's priorities into practice every day. 
• Setting the direction - Set your mind on the direction to go. 
• Concentrate on the eternal and not the temporary. 
• Seek and set sights on that above, not below.

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory

• For you died means that we have died to self and we are covered and concealed in Christ.  We should have as little desire for this world as a dead person would have.  A daily dose of dying to self would allow us to see life from God’s perspective more freely.

As the year winds down it is naturally a time of reflection on what we have done and a time of consideration for what we want to accomplish or change in the new year to come. I encourage you to examine your relationship with God and your walk with Him as the most important part of this process. Yes we all need personal goals and we ned to show some initiative personally but the most important part of who we are is our relationship with him. How do we walk that out before others - do they know we are his by the way we live and treat them? Do we live and love others like Jesus?  Add this most important part of planning your future to the top of the list! 

Making Room For God In Your Heart

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Making Room For God In Your Heart

It’s a new year - a clean slate and a clean slate is exciting. I love a clean slate, a blank page, and the beginning of new things. New territory is always an opportunity for God to show up in our lives and do awesome works. Give Him the pen to write your story for 2026.

New territory can be scary when we don't know what to expect. But coming into a new year we usually bring a pile of expectations with us - ones we put on ourselves.  Goals are good as long as we are open to what God is trying to accomplish through us and in our lives. If He is not the main part of our resolutions and goals, we are looking in the wrong direction.

Just like with spring cleaning it’s good to do a personal inventory at the beginning of a year.  We need to declutter our hearts and lives with anything that keeps God from having the place He deserves - first place.

Some areas of our lives where we need to do some de-cluttering are:

Social Media - Who do you need to unfollow? Maybe you need to spend less time on social media and more time in His word. 

Heart - What is taking God’s place in four life.  What are you running to? Where do you go to stop the pain? If it’s not God, it needs to go. 

Physical - What do you have too much of? What needs to go and most of all what do you need to stop buying because you are trying to fill a void that only Jesus can fill? 

Relationships - Do you have friends that are not Christians that pressure you to cross lines? Or maybe you have friends that are Christians that pressure you and are not a good influence.  

Jesus wants to be the first place in our lives. Start 2026 by making room for Him and getting rid of the things in our lives that don't bring you closer to Him. When we give Him first place and get rid of all the clutter that isn't supposed to be there, we can thrive in our relationship with him and his plan for our lives. 

Going Into Another New Year…

 Monday, December 29, 2025

Going Into Another New Year...

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  Isaiah 43:1-3a

Judah was in captivity in Babylon. They would be exiled to Babylon for 70 years because of their idolatrous behavior and sinful alliances. During their time in captivity God sent many prophets to remind them of God’s unfailing promises and never ending love, even in the middle of the consequences of their sin. The passage above is from the prophet Isaiah to the Israelites reminding them they belong to God; of all the ways God has been faithful in the past and urging them to trust him for the future. The same words Isaiah spoke to those in captivity are applicable to us today. 

We belong to God.

As his children, we are redeemed and called by name by God. We are his and nothing changes that – not even exile. Regardless of our doubt or disobedience.  Because we are his – we don’t have to fear, but remember we are redeemed and have been called by name. This will be true forever and when the world whispers we are not enough we can be reminded that we belong to God. Isaiah reminded the Israelites that they belonged to God and that they were redeemed and called by him – and exile did not change that.

God has been faithful in the past.

Isaiah reminded the Israelites that God had been faithful to them. When we remember the things God has done for us we see his faithfulness. We see the good things he has done, even during exile and living through consequences of our sin and behavior – and during the suffering and difficult situations we didn’t cause. Our memory of his faithfulness strengthens our faith and helps us push through.  

God will be faithful in the future. 

God has proven his faithfulness in the past – so we know we can have faith now and for the future. When we know the faithfulness of God we know we can trust him for the days to come. We can surrender our fears and doubts and step faithfully into every day, trusting him and his good and perfect will for our lives. Sin, disobedience, or lack of faith will keep us from trusting God’s plans for our lives. 

As you face a new year, reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life. What things has he done? How has he provided? Remember and commit to focusing on the faithfulness of God in the past and trust his faithfulness for the future. Isaiah 43:19 says Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Trust God in the new thing that he is doing in your life. Surrender your doubts and unbelief and trust his faithfulness for 2026 and every year after. Above all, remember that you belong to God. You have been redeemed and called by name. You belong to God. Let all that you do and say in 2026 be a reflection of his glory to everyone around you and point others to him with your life.

“New Beginnings"

 “New Beginnings"
Isaiah 43:1-7 (CSB)

 

Main Question: What do we need to be reminded of regarding God and His promises as we look forward to starting a new year?

 

1.        We belong to God. (vs. 1-2)

2.        God has been faithful in the past.  (vs. 3)

3.        God will be faithful in the future. (vs. 4-7)

After the Message: 
Read Isaiah 43:1-7. Either on your own or with your family/friends, list all the ways that God has been faithful to you in the past. Now, create a list of big prayer requests for 2026. Once you do, post them somewhere where you will see them every day and ask God to be faithful to lead you according to His will in the new year.

Good News For All People

 Friday, December 26, 2025

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:9-11

 

Good News For All People 

That dark night long ago, when the shepherds were in the field watching their flocks, suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared bringing good news of great joy. This good news of great joy literally means that this angel preached the gospel to these shepherds. This angel was bringing the gospel – for all people. These outcasts had received the most inviting and wonderful news that anyone could ever receive. 

Angels are messengers of God, and their primary function is delivering the message of God. The message they brought that night was good news for everyone! It was good news for the outcast, the poor, the uninvited, the socially awkward, the lonely, the unpopular, the imperfect, the sinner.

  

Jesus came for all people, from every spectrum and society, every level of learning, every level of living, and of degree of wealth. No one is outside of the range of people for whom Jesus came; Jesus came for everybody from the shepherds to the kings. The message from God that a Savior is born, was carried past the city of Jerusalem, past the Temple, past the scribes, past the priests, and delivered into the hands of the lowly forgotten ones…the shepherds. In this picture, we are reminded that Jesus came for people like the shepherds – people like us. Not the religious elite, the politically savvy, or the rulers of the people. The shepherds are the metaphor for the kind of people Jesus came to save. 

And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds… And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.  Luke 2:16-18

The shepherds knew they were sinners in need of a Savior. They had received the good news of the gospel, seen the baby Jesus, and now they had a mission. They heard the story, but then they had an encounter. The ones who watch the lambs in the fields, the Temple lambs, were the first to see the Lamb of God, the One who takes away the sin of the world. They had good news to tell so they went and told others about this baby and His gospel message. Those they told marveled at all they said. We have a responsibility to tell this message to others as well.  

What's The Good News?

She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  Matthew 1:21 The word “save” means to “snatch others by force from serious peril.” Jesus came to snatch us away from sin. We need to be rescued from sin itself and we must be saving others!  And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.  Jude 1:22-23

The best news of Christmas is that Jesus came for all people – to save all people. We are never too unworthy or too far gone. He came and opened the gates of heaven for all. This is the good news we need to share with others and just like the shepherds who were glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them, we need to glorify and praise Him because we know this to be true as well. We know the good news of the gospel is true because we have seen it played out over and over in our lives in all the ways God is faithful. 

Share the good news of great joy which will be for all people this season. 

 

Peace Is Here

Thursday, December 25, 2025 

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! Luke 2:8-14 CSB

Peace Is Here

The announcement of the birth of Jesus came with these words, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! When God stepped down from heaven and entered our world as a baby, the result was that mankind could have peace with God through him. Jesus would fight the battle against sin that mankind could not, bringing victory to all who trust in what he accomplished. Jesus represents us before God in his authority to bring restoration and peace to our relationship with God.

Not only did the birth of Jesus offer us peace with God, it ushered in the ability for those who belong to him to have peace and find strength in his name every moment of every day. His death on the cross and resurrection offers us peace that will be with us forever. His peace is present because he came to earth as a baby, but his peace is present with us because he lives in our heart. His peace is with us through every valley and difficult situation. As believers we can know peace in the face of adverse circumstances because Jesus is the victor over death, hell, and the grave – the worst this world can throw at us. His peace comes with the promise that he has overcome the world so we can rest in him. 

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. John 16:33 

On Christmas and every day we carry the peace of the Lord within us. May you know the peace that  Jesus gives and may you share it with everyone around you. 

Merry Christmas from the staff of North Side Baptist Church

For God So Loved...

 Wednesday, December 24, 2025

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

For God So Loved...

Ancient cultures gave their kings both political and spiritual significance because many believed their king to be imbued with divine powers.  Thus, in order to be thought of as “good”, the personal and public life of the king had to be beyond reproach in the eyes of his subjects.  

A king was to make his life an example by showing honesty and integrity as well as taking responsibility for his actions.  A king would win the trust and respect of his subjects by proving himself to be just and fair in all his dealings; as well as enforcing law and order in the kingdom. I n other words, the love for a king was determined by the actions taken by a king to better the lives of his subjects.  Beyond that, a king was highly cherished by his people if they sensed that he loved them.

The whole foundation of Christmas is based on love because God so loved He gave…  The very nature of God is to give. He gave us life in the first place. He sustains our lives with His gifts of sunshine and rain and much more. And when our days are finished on this planet, He gives us eternal life.  He gave us the ultimate love gift - Jesus, the King of Kings, - who so loved His subjects so much that He left His throne in glory to become like them and live among them. He gave His very life in order to obtain redemption for us, His subjects, so we could reside with Him forever.

All that King Jesus has done is better the lives of His subjects in all facets of life.  Our King wants good things for us because He loves us.  God could have chosen to condemn the world and leave them without any hope, but He chose to love in the greatest way possible…the sacrifice of His Son. It is the love that Jesus demonstrated, dying on the cross, that grabs the heart of mankind. The sacrificial and selfless death of Jesus is the only way will we ever have eternal life, a true gift of love.  It is also only through His son’s heart in us that we can love others.  The greatest gift we can give, not only at Christmas but every day, is to take the love He has shown us and give it to others around us.  

True Joy In Every Season

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

True Joy In Every Season

Are you lacking joy this Christmas season? It could be because you are looking for joy in the wrong places. Just like peace, we reach to many different things to bring us true joy. We reach for the closest, quickest people, or objects to bring us “joy”, if only for a moment. A quick fix, a moment of numbness, a distraction from the truth of our circumstances, a cover for what is really not true about our Christmas – or our lives. 

I confess that this year I thought putting up a Christmas tree, decorating the house, and playing lots of Christmas music would be everything I needed to cover up all the things about my life I wish were not true. But just as when we are expecting things other than Jesus to bring us peace, they cannot bring us joy either. 

The only source for true joy is the most precious gift ever given – Jesus. As Tara Leigh Cobble says on her popular podcast, The Bible Recap, “He’s where the joy is.” He is the only place true joy can be found. True joy transcends relationships, bank accounts, debt, illness, and can be found in any circumstance – even empty chairs around the table and an empty house at Christmas. True joy is always in our hearts, no matter what our circumstances are. True joy is where we find the strength to keep going no matter what. True joy is how we keep our focus on him – because he isn’t just the reason for the season, he is the reason for everything. 

Can we feel joy and grief at the same time? Yes. Can we feel joy and loneliness at the same time? Yes. All the emotions of a broken life in a broken world can live in the same heart with the peace and joy that a relationship with Jesus brings. When we have a deep abiding joy found only in Jesus, it never leaves us no matter what else is happening or what else we are feeling. He created us and knows our hearts inside and out. He cares about what breaks our heart, and his heart breaks for his children when they are hurt. But he has given us the gift of joy found only in him that never leaves us. 

Maybe you have cast expectations on the Christmas tree in your living room, the lights, the decorations, or maybe the people in your life to bring you peace and joy this season. Soon the tree and decorations will go back to the attic. The people you are expecting to bring you joy will go home – or may never come at all. True joy is not seasonal, it is eternal. We can find true, lasting, and eternal joy in Jesus alone. Like peace, the joy we think we find in objects or people will fade, but the joy we have in Jesus never fades. We carry it in our heart along with peace, which gives us abounding hope – hope not found in a season, or a person, or things, or a fat bank account. In the light of eternity, these things are inconsequential. They may make life a little more bearable, but they are as fleeting as the wind. 

So again, are you lacking joy this Christmas season? Look to the greatest gift of all, the tiny baby born in a manger who brought peace and joy for everyone. He is with you in this season and every season. We do not exist without him, but only exist because of him. In him we find everything we ever need – everlasting peace, joy, love, hope, and so much more. Stop reaching. Stop searching. Just as peace is a person, joy is a person too. Surrender your misplaced expectations to Jesus and find true joy that never fades or runs out. 

The Only Place To Find True and Lasting Peace

Monday, December 22, 2025

The Only Place To Find True and Lasting Peace

This Christmas season Pastor Jim is leading us through a series titled Peace On Earth, through which we are learning the key truth that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness. We have learned that the birth of one tiny baby brought us peace with God, peace for the future, and peace with other people. Through his life here on earth, his death on the cross, and his resurrection, Jesus not only gave us redemption and eternal life, but also an invitation to a new way of life as we live out our days here on earth. 

Everyone wants peace. We want emotional, mental, and relational peace, but we look for it in places that often leave us feeling more restless than ever. We look for peace in temporary fixes, believing the lie that the next shiny thing, or new person, will give us what we need. But they don’t. Some work for a moment, but none provide lasting peace.

As believers, we have the Prince of Peace in our hearts. The lasting, true peace we all seek is within our very being, yet we pile idols up in our hearts, stuffing him down and covering him up, trying to create peace on our own. Why do we do this? 

As Pastor Jim quoted Gary Thomas yesterday - Peace is relational, not situational. We take our cues for peace from what is happening around us – at home, at work, in the world, or in our relationships. Even if we find peace in the current situation, it could be gone within minutes. Our situations are ever changing, but Jesus, the true source of our peace, never changes. Gary Thomas also said If we have him, we already have enough. The world we live in contradicts this truth. The world says we should be skinnier, have more, go on more vacations, and upgrade our phones, cars, and houses often. This world we live in is not about Jesus being enough and there are constant reminders popping up on our phones and social media. 

Who is the baby born in a stable at Christmas and how can he give us peace?  In his sermon yesterday Pastor Jim gave us three points about who this baby is.

He is historic – In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. Luke 2:1-3

Luke begins the story of Jesus’ birth telling us that there was a decree that everyone should be registered in the census. This shows us that Jesus is historic, not just a spiritual account.      There was a census, in the pages of history, that tell us what was happening in the world at that time. The pages of the history book line up with the stories in the Bible.

He is prophetic - Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.  While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. Micah 5:2 says But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Because of the census they had to go to their ancestral homes, therefore Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem because Joseph was of the line of David. Because they had to travel to Bethlehem and Mary gave birth there, the prophecy was fulfilled It is not just a spiritual account, it was a historic world event. There was a census, in the pages of history, that took Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem so the prophecy could be fulfilled. 

He is Salvific – The Prince of Peace was born in a stable in humility and vulnerability, providing salvation for everyone. The people had been waiting for the Messiah to save them for over 400 years. Many missed it because this was not the Messiah they were expecting or looking for. This tiny Messiah would change mankind forever providing a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

How can he give us peace? He himself is peace. Without a relationship with him we cannot ever know true peace. We will seek out the peace the world offers, which is not peace at all. The peace he offers the world cannot provide. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  - John 14:27  It is a daily invitation from him and the more we fill ourselves up with him the more peaceful we will feel. This doesn’t mean we will never have troubles; it means that his peace will be with us no matter what our situations are. 

What about you – do you know this Prince of Peace? 
Are you looking for peace in situations instead of in your relationship with Jesus? 

Peace on Earth - Peace Is A Person

 

Peace on Earth
Peace Is A Person
Luke 2:1-7 (CSB)

 

- Key Truth - “Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness.”

Main Question: Who is the baby born in a stable at Christmas and how can He give us peace?

 

1.        This person is historic.  vs. 1-3

2.        This person is prophetic.  vs. 4-5

3.        This person is salvific. vs. 6-7

 

After the Message: 
Read Luke 2:1-7. How does the message of the birth of Christ make peace something that we can actually attain? How will you begin to seek peace not based on your circumstances but on your relationship with Jesus?

Invite Jesus Into Your “Impossible” Situation

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Pause and Ponder

That first Christmas, the shepherds came to Mary and Joseph and Jesus in the stable after they had been visited from the Heavenly Hosts. Mary must have been overwhelmed. So much excitement. Can you imagine going through all she had been through? The fear at first, Joseph's reaction, and then the glorious anticipation knowing that she would give birth to the Son of God. And now she cradles Him in her arms. 

The most magical moments are sitting and holding a newborn baby. Mary thought about all this, and then listened to the shepherds tell their experience and she treasured it all. Jesus is the true treasure for all of us. The simple yet extravagant story of the Savior’s birth is good news of great joy for all people. And that baby she cradled in her arms, now He cradles you and me. 

 With your family read the Christmas story in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 and talk about and ponder the deep meaning of what it means that Immanuel, God with us, has come to dwell in us. 

Invite Jesus into your “impossible” situation 

 What is it that you’re worried about today? What situation seems so overwhelming that you’re losing sleep at night? Everything seems to be so enhanced by the "good" stress of the holidays. Christmas brings out a lot of emotions for all of us and for some of us, some past memories that make us very emotional. 

For some there are personal problems that are keeping you from experiencing the joy of the season. It is hard to shrug off the weight of financial strain, illness, or relationship problems for Christmas because deep down inside you know it won't just disappear in the "magic" of the season.  Still others have lost a loved one or are ill and having a hard time feeling that this is the most wonderful time of the year. For others, you feel like one crisis after another has run you over. The car broke down, the furnace needs repairing, the refrigerator died. And with such an avalanche of problems it is hard to have a holly, jolly Christmas. Some of you are so busy and working so hard that there is no time for sitting around a fire roasting chestnuts. Some are just struggling with depression and may not even really know why. The "joy" of Christmas adds to the heaviness. 

I cannot promise you that if you take every step with Jesus and breathe every breath with Him that you will wake up tomorrow and all your problems will be solved. I can promise you that every step you take with Him and every breath you breathe with Him will be so much easier and His grace and peace will wrap you up. Invite Him to come with you on this impossible journey - whatever it is. He will be with you every step of the way if you ask Him. 

Remember this – Live expecting miracles of God to take place. I love the words of Gabriel to Mary found in Luke 1:37: For nothing is impossible with God. After you invite Jesus into your impossible situation, lay it in His hands. Give it to Him. He is right there with you waiting to take it. 

A Path of Peace

Monday, December 15, 2025

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1: 76-79

 

A Path of Peace

This Christmas season Pastor Jim is leading us through a series titled Peace On Earth, through which we are learning the key truth that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness. As we learned last Sunday, the birth of one tiny baby brought us peace with God, peace for the future, and peace with other people. Through his life here on earth, his death on the cross, and his resurrection, Jesus not only gave us redemption and eternal life, but also an invitation to a new way of life as we live out our days here on earth.

 

Jesus is our Prince of Peace, and we not only find peace in him, but we can also have peace in our hearts through him. He invites us to walk in that peace every day, in all the circumstances and challenges we face. It is not something we only find in church on Sunday or during one season out of the year, but it is a path of peace that we can journey on our whole lives. 

 

The passage above is an excerpt from Zechariah’s song in Luke. Zechariah was a priest and he and his wife, Elizabeth, were unable to have children. In the temple one day, Zechariah was met by an angel who announced that he and Elizabeth would have a child, and he was to name him John. Zechariah did not believe and as a result God made him unable to speak. Elizabeth did conceive a child and had a son. When it was time to name him, Zechariah wrote on a tablet that his name is John, and suddenly his voice returned. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah wrote a song prophesying about the life of his newborn son.  John would have the very special role of testifying to the world about the Messiah: There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:6-9 (CSB) 

 

John testified to a dark and lost world that the light had come to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. The light of the world had come inviting all who would believe and have faith in him to a path of peace, and so much more. In him we find anything and everything we ever need. 

 

Are you looking for this path of forgiveness, salvation, mercy, eternal life, and peace? All this and more can be found in the Prince of Peace if you will put your faith and trust in Him. The goodness of a life lived in him is with us always, not just at Christmas. His peace is a peace beyond what we could ever imagine, and it stays with us forever. 

Tis the Gifting Season

Friday, December 12, 2025

Tis the Gifting Season – James 1 - Submitted by Kay Crumley

We have been bombarded since at least Halloween with ads for the perfect gift to buy for our loved ones this year.  I thought that was bad enough but then Black Friday ads, emails, texts, etc. started with a vengeance.  That was quickly followed with Cyber Monday sales promotions.  Man, so of those lasted all week with extensions and even bigger savings.  I am beginning to think the best gift I can get is for the advertisements to STOP!.  It sounds like my inner bah humbug self is surfacing.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to giving or receiving gifts, especially those that I know come from a heart of love.  But I suspect we have become the victims of gifting contests to see who can give the best, biggest, most costly, or the hardest to find of the season.  Who are we trying to impress?  The truth is that most of our families and their children already have all they need and more.  The commercialism of Santa has sucked us in to believe we must prove our love and concern for each other with expensive ‘things’.  That leads me to wonder what the Bible says about gifts.  I am not just talking about the Gifts of the Spirit.  I am finding some verses about gifts that I want to explore so that we can get a better understanding of gifts. 

The book of James was a letter written by James the half-brother of Jesus.  James was not an apostle but became a believer and strong leader of the Jerusalem church.  He witnessed Jesus’ resurrection and joined the disciples as a believer.  He wrote the book of James to deal more with Christian ethics than Christian theology.  Its theme is the outworking of faith—the external evidence of internal conversion. 

He introduced himself as a servant to God and the Lord Jesus Christ in verse 1 of chapter 1, not as the half-brother of Jesus.  He humbly understood his position was because of his relationship with God was not based on his family ties but on the sacrifice of Jesus.   

James used the first 12 verses teaching about trials and that God uses those to build our faith.  He also tells his readers that wisdom is available from God just for the asking so that we can make sound decisions.  He informs us that we are blessed with the promises of God when we endure trials and have stood the test, remained faithful to godly standards, and avoided the temptations.  

James 1 

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. 

Now in verses 13-15 we see that God is not the author of temptations.  He does not tempt anyone.  Instead, temptation comes from the desires we have in our heart.  It’s like when we look at that item for sale and we covet it.  We know it’s not something we can afford or should have but, what at great mark down in price!  Overspending or spending that deprives our family of their needs is sinful.  The more we desire and are greedy for those things that bring us glory rather than glorifying God, the more we are enticed to follow through and commit the sin.  That will lead to death, perhaps not physical death but death of our relationship/fellowship with God.  Satan is the author of temptation because he desires our downfall while God desires our development of relationship with our Father, God. 

He then, in verses 16-18, gives us hope and encouragement.  We must not fall into the trap of greed or desire to impress.  Why?  Because the only truly good gift is from God, the Father of lights.  He will not lead us astray, He is trustworthy, not changing His teachings to fit the world’s idea of value or prestige.  Our worth is in Him alone.  He is our creator and sustainer. He knit us in our mothers’ womb.  We are His by new birth through His Word of Truth.  We are His creation and are fruitful through obedience to Him. 

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 

That good gift is the one that Jesus freely gives to all who will believe in Him and place their trust in His promises.  Nothing we can buy, no level of honor by man can equal the eternal gift that can only come from God through Jesus Christ the Son. 

This Christmas let’s all keep our focus on what is truly important and of value.  All the material positions will rot and become useless.  Only our hope in Him has lasting value.  

Who Are You Not At Peace With This Christmas?

Thursday, December 11, 2025

For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh…Ephesians 2:14

Who Are You Not At Peace With This Christmas? 

Paul was speaking to the Ephesians, explaining that part of Jesus’ purpose was to specifically tear down the dividing wall of hostility between the Jews and Gentiles. The Jewish people had looked down on the Gentiles for centuries because they were “God’s chosen People”, and therefore considered themselves better than Gentiles. This attitude of superiority drove a wedge of hostility deep between the two nationalities. Jesus’ message was they were all one united community of believers as the body of Christ. As Paul stated in the passage above, Jesus himself was their peace – making two groups one and tearing down the wall of hostility between them. 

When Jesus died on the cross he reconciled all of us, as the body of Christ, to God – ending our hostility toward each other. In him we are all the same and have the same spiritual standing - 
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Paul told the Ephesians, “Jesus Himself is our peace.” By grace through faith in Jesus Christ, God made it possible us to be reconciled to God, and also for all of us to live at peace with one another. Jesus is the Prince of Peace - the ultimate provision of peace for all humanity. That applies to us personally – in our relationships with friends, acquaintances, and family. We can sometimes make peace with everyone else except family, making family gatherings tense, or non-existent. 

, Jesus we have “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” to guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). He brought peace on earth, and as believers we are called to continue being peacemakers as well.  We do this by living and loving like Jesus, and sharing the gospel of peace: “He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.” Acts 10:36  We also share his gospel of peace by living in peace with one another. Because Jesus Himself is our peace, we can extend that peace in our relationship with others.

Who are you not at peace with? 

What relationship can you bring the peace of Jesus into this Christmas?

Walking In Peace In A Chaotic World

 Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.  John 14:27

 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. John 16:33

Read John 14:27 and John 16:33. What does is it mean to receive Jesus’ peace? How should we live in the world as a result of receiving His peace? 

Trust leads to Peace

Everyone is seeking peace. “Peace of mind” can be defined as rest of mental anxiety.  Peace in our heart is something different.  It is rest in our soul in relationships and emotions. A basic soundness of life – wholeness – everything is in its proper place. Not something you have or do but something you ARE.  

It seems like we talk a lot about peace.  It truly is the relentless pursuit of what seems just out of our reach. Just when we get what we think will bring us peace, peace flies out of our grasp and in the direction of the next thing we think we need.  What will bring you peace? Financial security?  Healing from a chronic health issue?  Having a specific spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend?  The perfect car, or house, in the perfect neighborhood? Maybe it’s all the pretty things around you.  Whatever it is that we think will finally bring us peace - if it isn’t God - we will be pursuing it our whole lives.

Peace is not a goal of life but a fruit of the spirit according to Galatians 5:22:  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… Peace is the result of what Jesus did for us – not on what we do or achieve.  It is a direct result of having a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and learning to surrender and trust him in everything.  

This peace is a special peace:  

It Guards Our Hearts- And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It Rules Our Heart - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful

It is Not the Peace the World Gives- Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. John 14:27

Jesus offers us a different peace than the world gives because what the world offers is not peace at all but a cunning imposter to peace.  It seems like peace but is quite the opposite.  Like a morsel of food to a starving animal, the worldly peace we chase only leaves us longing for something else.  The peace He gives satisfies, forever.  It drowns out the trouble of this world and overcomes all fear. Sin, fear, uncertainty; doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our heart and life to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says He will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from Him.

Peace is resting in God's sovereignty – when we are suffering; when the walls are coming down; when the money is gone; when the diagnosis is unthinkable – the hardest times to rest in the unknown. But we know who holds the unknown and we know what his promise is - I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. John 16:33 He knew everything we would be faced with in this world when he first said those words. He gave us those words so we would know that we can find peace trusting in his sovereignty because he has already conquered this world and every painful part of it that tries to take our peace. But when our peace is rooted in him, nothing can take it away. 

This world is an unstable, broken, and sometimes dark place – where no lasting peace can be found. Jesus’ presence in our life brings deep and lasting peace that provides assurance in every circumstance. He is our only hope of true peace in every circumstance. Leaning into his peace and away from the false “peace” the world offers will give us the strength and assurance we need to walk through everything – and to share some of his peace with a lost world that is desperately seeking.