Delivered on Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Arrow

What special gifts do you think you will receive this Christmas? What will be inside those packages wrapped in holiday paper, topped with ribbons and bows, or gracefully placed in a gift bag gushing with tissue paper?

In one of Jesus’ recorded prayers, He states repeatedly what God sent us on Christmas … or rather who.

  • Referring to His disciples, Jesus said, “and they have believed that You (Father) sent Me” (John 17:8).
  • Praying to the Father, Jesus said, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:18).
  • Jesus continued, “… that the world may believe that You sent Me” and “that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:21, 23).

What I have omitted so far is the opening lines of Jesus’ prayer where He reveals the incredulous reward of receiving the One delivered to all the world on Christmas, the gift of eternal life. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Simply put, God sent His best, His Son, God in human skin. When we believe that fact and receive this incomprehensible gift, we are promised eternal life with Him.

My prayer is that you have received Jesus, the Son of God, delivered to you on that first Christmas.

May your Christmas be blessed!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Evangelistic Message, Life Purpose, Salvation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Hark!

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Arrow

“Hark, the herald angels sing …” 
Hark? Listen carefully, pay attention, focus, hear and consider.

Listen up, shepherds:  Your Messiah was born today in Bethlehem. You will find Him wrapped in cloths in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12)

Listen, Mary:  You have found favor with God. You will be pregnant and give birth to a son. He will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:30-35)

Listen, Joseph:  Take Mary as your wife. The child is from the Holy Spirit. Name Him Jesus because He will save people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21)

These real-life characters, not just figures in a nativity scene, actually heard a word from the Almighty God.

And God continued to speak. When Jesus’ body was transfigured, appearing in a glorious state, God spoke from a cloud. “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7b). And Jesus spoke these encouraging words about His followers. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

God continues to speak to us today. Whether your Christmas is noisy and hectic, whether you experience a calm, silent night, or perhaps, a blend of both, may you take time to listen to what God is saying. He has a message especially for you … if … you … listen.

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Inspiration, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Vision Division

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Arrow

We live in a nation that is divided. This comes as a surprise to no one. Each person has their own opinions and beliefs. God gave each of us a mind and with it we make decisions based on the input we receive. Hopefully, we seek godly wisdom and discernment before making life-altering choices.

Jesus explained that His very coming into this world as a human caused division. The disciple John records Jesus’ words. “I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39b).

Again, people were allowed to have their own opinion and choose whether to believe or reject who Jesus claimed to be, the Son of God. And, we still have that choice today. Just remember, choices come with consequences.

For example, if I ignore my cancer diagnosis, opt out of surgery to remove the tumor, and refuse follow up treatment, my prognosis does not look good. Disbelieving the lab results and refusing to follow the recommendations of the oncologists does not mean my cancer magically disappears.

Again, choices have consequences. According to Jesus we can either see or be blind. Here, Jesus is referring to spiritual blindness and sight. Those who reject Jesus as the Son of God have spiritual blindness, are unable to comprehend their need for a Savior, their need for forgiveness, and perhaps even refuse to acknowledge their own sin.

Having spiritual sight, on the other hand, includes seeing and surrendering to God’s guidance from Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

Hear the apostle Paul’s warning. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

May your eyes be opened to see the Light of the World, Jesus!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Evangelistic Message, Salvation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Tell What You Know

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Arrow

After a recent surgery, I needed to tell the doctor what I knew. An itchy rash was invading the right side of my body! I could tell the doctor where and when, but I could only guess the why. Turned out, my guess was wrong.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

During His ministry, Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath. The disciples wondered why the man was blind. Whose sin caused this malady, his parents’ or his own. The disciples’ assumptions were wrong. Jesus explained, “[T]his happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3b).

The religious Jewish leaders chose to investigate the healing and questioned the man born blind. Again, he could only testify to what he knew. “He put mud on my eyes . . . and I washed, and now I see” (John 9:15b).

Still not satisfied, the Pharisees interrogated the parents of the man born blind. Their testimony was succinct. “We know he is our son . . . and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know” (John 9:20-21a).

Finally, the Pharisees grilled the no-longer-blind man again. Since he had no additional testimony, he simply stated, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25b).

I love that! Many times, we fear we have nothing to say, no testimony worth sharing. We feel unable to explain the “whys” of this world. But we can share how Jesus has met our needs, how we have witnessed answered prayers, and experienced the Lord walking with us through difficult seasons. We can express who Jesus is to us.

May we tell what we know!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Motivation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Week of Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Arrow

‘Twas the week of Thanksgiving
and all through the house
there were chores to be done
by mom, children, and spouse.
Floors to be vacuumed,
dusting and more,
grocery lists made,
and some trips to the store,
the patio swept and appliances shined,
a turkey to thaw and recipes combined,
a table to set, and pies for the oven
all carefully prepared with a good dose of lovin’.

Then “thank-yous” were given as kiddos pitched in.
Mom gave Dad a peck, leaving flour on his chin.
Dad gave Mom a hug for she baked what he favored,
his favorite side dishes, warm and well-flavored.

The time had arrived.
They sat down for their feast
but felt a slight tinge before waistlines increased.
Was there someone to thank on this Thanksgiving Day,
one they’d left out in their hurried-up way,
one who had blessed them, provided, and cared,
encouraged them when they felt helpless and scared?

Then humble heads bowed to honor the One,
Almighty God who had given His Son,
who provided forgiveness to all who believe,
who accept Him as Savior, and in faith receive.

Oh, may we take time to thank God above   
for the blessings rained down on us, poured out in love!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1)

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Motivation, Poetry, Prayer, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged | Leave a comment

God Sees You

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Arrow

Remember in Genesis, after Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit? The two “sewed fig leaves together” to cover their nakedness.

Fig trees, like the one pictured below, are also mentioned in the New Testament. If allowed to grow naturally, they appear more bush-like.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

In John’s gospel, we find Jesus gaining disciples. At one point, Jesus finds Philip and invites him to follow. Then Philip eagerly tells Nathanael, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote” (John 1:45). After a little persuasion, Nathanael agrees to “come and see.”

Nathanael is surprised when he meets Jesus. Jesus gives Nathanael a greeting that indicates He already knows him, including his character as a man of integrity. Taken aback, Nathanael asks how Jesus knows him.

“Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you’” (John 1:48). Nathanael is so awed at Jesus’ insight that he immediately acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God.

Now, I’m curious why Nate is so amazed. Fig trees are shady so it is not unusual to sit under one. Did Nate find one that was more bush-like? Was he hiding under it? Having a personal time of distress or doubt? Or, as portrayed in “The Chosen” series, was He feeling unseen by God?

Whatever it was, when Jesus said, “I saw you,” it touched Nathanael’s heart dramatically and changed his life forever.

I want to encourage you, friends, that God sees you too. He knows everything about you and still chooses you to come and follow Him. If you do, it will be a journey you will never regret.

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Motivation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Who Do We Turn To?

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Arrow

Joys, sorrows, worries, fears, secrets. With whom do you share your deepest thoughts and concerns? Perhaps a spouse, best friend, neighbor, fellow believers, a mentor, or counselor. It usually depends on the subject or matter at hand.

Sometimes, we may feel there is no one with whom we can share. If that is the case, where do we turn to find encouragement, guidance, a helping hand, or listening ear?

What did Jesus do?

The gospel of John describes a time when Jesus was teaching and performing miraculous signs before large crowds in Jerusalem. Then John adds an interesting detail. “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man” (John 2:24-25). (Note that the words “man”/”men” are usually referring to all people.)

So, what’s wrong with us people . . . well, besides the fact that we have wrong motives, are foolish, greedy, selfish, not trustworthy, and deceitful? Oh.

In the gospels, we read of the task assigned Jesus, the salvation of the world. We see His great responsibility of teaching and training His disciples who along with the help of the Holy Spirit would be accountable for spreading the Good News to the known world.

Jesus regularly made it a priority to spend time with the Father. Many times, He went off alone to pray, like before choosing His twelve disciples, after feeding the 5000, and the night in Gethsemane before His arrest and crucifixion.

How amazing it is that we also have that same Heavenly Father to turn to! Or perhaps, we are more comfortable talking with Jesus. No matter, God is God. He is always available, always listening, always aware of our situation. Always near to help.

Enjoy some time with the Lord today!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Prayer, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Overflowing Fountains

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Arrow

A friend of ours camps regularly out in the woods. But to refill his water supply, he must daily make the trek to a nearby campground.

My question today is, do we?

In Bible times, it was part of a woman’s daily routine to go to the local well or water source, draw water, and carry water home to her family. It was a labor of love and necessity.

Jesus had some notable teachings about our need for living water and regular times of refreshing from Him.

  • Jesus instructed the woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). Jesus taught that believers should be an overflowing fountain with Jesus as our source.
  • To the crowd in Jerusalem, Jesus said, “‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit” (John 7:37b-39a).

The river of the Spirit of God should continually flow from us to others. In order for this to happen, we must first be present with the Lord to receive daily renewal. Do we thirst for His word? Are we feeling dry or dehydrated? He is the fountain we need to “drink” from regularly.

However, if we only receive without overflowing to others, we become a lake or even like the Dead Sea. The blessings we receive from our Lord are to flow out and bless others. We are to be a fountain that Jesus flows through.

May we stay in the cycle of being filled and overflowing.

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Life Purpose, Motivation, Self-Improvement, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Court Is in Session

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Arrow

Testifying in court carries with it a heavy responsibility. It can influence the course of someone’s life dramatically. Your words paint pictures, provide details, and better convey truth.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Jesus’ disciple, John, recounts the story of Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath who had been sick, probably an invalid, unable to walk, for many years.

Scripture explains that the Jews were not only upset that Jesus healed on the Sabbath but also that He had told the man to carry his mat, a “work” not allowed in their strict interpretation of keeping the Sabbath.

Jesus’ response provokes the Jews even more when He said that He and His Father were always working. With His statement, Jesus “was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18b).

That does it! Court is in session. Listen to Jesus’ list of who and what testifies about Him:

  • John the Baptist ~ John testified that Jesus was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). He proclaimed Jesus was the Messiah.
  • Miracles, including healing the lame, blind, and deaf, and raising the dead all testified that Jesus was from God.
  • The Father ~ Jesus said, “And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me” (John 5:37a). Remember God also spoke from heaven when John baptized Jesus saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
  • Scripture testified about Jesus from the beginning. Moses and many prophets foretold of the astonishing things Jesus would do.

Even with all of this valid testimony, most Jewish leaders still refused to accept the truth of who Jesus was, the Son of God, God in human form.

Your verdict will determine the rest of your life here . . . and for eternity. May you judge wisely.

Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Salvation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Predictable Jesus

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Arrow

Last week we looked at a few of the ways Jesus was completely unpredictable. (You might want to check it out if you missed it.) So, it’s only fair that today we focus on some areas where Jesus is totally predictable. Below are my top ten.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

#1: Jesus loves you! ~ “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

#2: Jesus offers eternal life to all people. ~ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

#3: Jesus is the only way to the Father. ~ “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

#4: Jesus is truth. (See verse above.) ~ “These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:24b).

#5: Jesus saves and stands before the Father on our behalf. ~ “Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

#6: Jesus forgives those who come to Him. ~ “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

#7: Jesus is faithful to keep His promises. ~ “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20a).

#8: Jesus gives peace to believers. ~ “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27a).

#9: Jesus is preparing a place for believers. ~ “I am going there [my Father’s house] to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2b).

#10: Jesus will return and take all believers with Him. ~ “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me” (John 14:3).

Praise the Lord!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Salvation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment