21 Days (of Encouragement) Before Christmas 2020

21 Days (of Encouragement) Before Christmas 2020

DECEMBER 1 ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING By Brian Baker Word of Life Local Church Ministries, North Regional Coordinator

Philippians 2:1-11 Author Kent Hughes had this to say about our attitude: “Next to our free salvation in Christ, our attitude is the most important thing we possess. Attitude is more important than circumstances, the past, money, successes, failures, our gifts, other’s opinions, even the facts.” Simply put, attitude is everything. When Paul wrote to the Philippian church, he commended them for many things – but not everything was perfect. There was disunity in the church, and when people are not getting along, there is usually an attitude problem. In the first several verses of Philippians 2, Paul encouraged them to have an attitude of humility. The example he used was Jesus (2:5-11). Based on these verses and the example of Jesus, here are three questions to help us see if our attitude is in check: 1. Am I willing to give up my rights? (v. 6) Jesus is God. At any moment, He could have called everything off. He had that right, but He did not act on it because He loves sinners. As followers of Jesus, before we charge into a situation with our rights on full display, consider giving up those rights for the sake of others and the gospel. 2. Am I willing to serve with no recognition? (v. 7) When Jesus was on earth, His followers were looking for Him to set up His Kingdom. Instead, He repeatedly served others. What? Shouldn’t others be serving Him? As believers, we should look to serve others instead of expecting others to serve us. 3. Am I willing to obey God, no matter the cost? (v. 8) I am sure His followers were just waiting for Him to show His power to the world. Instead, He willingly suffered and died a humiliating death. What if our obedience cost us something— even everything? Would we still be willing to obey?

Our response to these three questions is very revealing as to where our attitude really is. Be thankful we serve a Savior who always led by example.

DECEMBER 2 MY FIRST CHRISTMAS MEMORY By Ken Dady Word of Life, International Coach to Missionaries and Local Church Leaders

Proverbs 3:27 My first real memory of Christmas was when I was four. We woke up one morning, and all these strange people were at our door. Later, I got the rest of the story; our dad was gone. My mom worked as a secretary to keep food on the table and pay the rent. On Christmas Eve, my mother’s co-worker found my mom crying in the ladies’ room, as she did not have enough money to buy her three very young boys Christmas gifts. This co-worker organized with the whole office staff, and on Christmas morning, several men and women knocked at our apartment door. They brought with them a Christmas tree, ornaments which they hung on the tree, and gifts for each one of us boys and for my mom. I got a toy truck! Wow! I was 19 years old when I truly experienced Christmas as a born-again believer. I saw Christmas as more than the beautiful Christmas songs I sang each year and the awesome family gatherings. After 10 years of leading youth and serving in our church as lay leaders, God led our family into full-time ministry. The verse that became my life and ministry verse was Proverbs 3:27: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” I knew God made each of us unique in our abilities, and He wants us to use them to help others! I love Christmastime, as it is the time in which we give physical and emotional presents to those we love. I love seeing our grandchildren open their gifts and then use them, wear them or play with them after all the paper is stuffed away. And, yes, we as a family reflect on the reason for the season in many ways. Our daughter with her family sings Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas Day and tries to reflect His story to a neighbor. But what I love even more is “Celebrating Christ” (Christmas) with others by sharing the gospel and seeing children, teens and adults put their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. . . then helping them grow in Christ, and equipping their leaders and parents to lead them in an intimate relationship with Him. In other words, helping them to “Celebrate Christ” every day. Would you join us in reflecting on Christmas as the starting place of the 33-year earthly journey that led to the shed blood, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, allowing whoever trusts in Him could have an eternal and abundant life with Him? He did not “withhold that good from us!” Let us plan to “Celebrate Christ” by using the abilities God has given us to serve Him in our churches, our neighborhoods, our homes and our workplaces. Let’s make Christmas last all year long!

DECEMBER 3 NO SHORTCUTS – HOW TO ABIDE AND ENDURE By Ethan Warren Word of Life, Student Ministry and Assistant Camp Director Psalm 91:1-2 World-renowned financial coach, Dave Ramsey, says: “There are no shortcuts when it comes to getting out of debt.” This is great financial advice, but I’m grateful Jesus Christ offered an instantaneous way for me to escape my spiritual debt. He offers grace and hope freely and instantly to all who would choose to accept His gift of salvation. However, Dave would also tell you that it takes time and focus to build wealth once you get out of debt. In the same way, building a deep relationship with Jesus takes great time and focus. There are no shortcuts when it comes to strengthening this relationship. When I focus on my relationship with Christ, I experience the word picture that is painted in Psalm 91 – I can feel I am “abiding in the shadow of the Almighty.” Isn’t it amazing how standing in a shadow can bring security? When camping in the wilderness, even the thinnest tarp separating you from a predator can bring a level of comfort that’s difficult to understand! Much more securely than that, however, we can stand in the shadow of the Almighty, abiding and enduring anything life brings our way. We can truly say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

DECEMBER 4 THE WORD BECAME FLESH By Deb Nightingale Word of Life, Director of Advancement

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...”

The world, as it seems to us, is upside down and out of control. We may wonder, where is God in all of this? COVID, great racial unrest, and a country/world so completely divided.

The Bible declares, “His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts.”

I think one of the greatest examples of this is the incarnation. God stepped down from Heaven and became flesh; a human, a helpless baby in a dirty stable no less.

“And the Word became flesh.” Without this there would be no cross; no death, burial and resurrection.

“His ways are not our ways.” The question… Do you trust Me? Do we trust Him enough in all this craziness to share the hope of the gospel? To share the only answer, the reason for our hope? That is what Word of Life does… brings the gospel to a lost world.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the reminder during this Christmas season that you kept your promise by sending us your Son.

DECEMBER 5 PRAYER FOR GREAT LOVE By Justin Cousins Word of Life, Dean of Men and Basketball Coach

John 13:35 In many of Apostle Paul’s letters to churches or individuals, he begins with a prayer. What an encouraging thought that had to be for these people – to know the greatest missionary and church planter of the day was specifically praying for them.

In Philippians 1:9 we see Paul’s prayer for the people of Philippi:

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.”

Now, there are some key words in this prayer that pop off the page: love, knowledge and discernment. Notice, though, how Paul starts and anchors his prayer in the desire of love. He wants the people of Philippi to be known by their love. This is a similar desire we hear from Jesus when He says in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” In this culture, we are bombarded with the idea that knowledge is power. But Paul says, before growing in knowledge you must grow in love. A knowledge that outgrows our love will leave you looking more like the world than looking set apart. To feel we have greater knowledge than we do love creates a pharisaical heart that breeds superiority and pride instead of a heart full of grace and mercy. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is one that rings true for us today: increase your love. This love believes all things, hopes all things and creates a unity among people. As your love increases, so will your knowledge and discernment for the things that are God-honoring.

Action Step: Pray this prayer for yourself and for one other person today: Lord, increase my/their love, knowledge and discernment. I pray that my/their love and knowledge will grow in step together.

DECEMBER 6 SIN CURSED By Tom Simcox Friends of Israel, Church Ministries Rep and Author

Isaiah 7:14 Christmas is always such a beautiful time of year. The festive decorations, the holiday music and the cool crisp air all make the atmosphere perfect for celebrating with family, friends, and co-workers. But this year, COVID-19 came along, and suddenly everything changed… Or did it? Christmas has morphed over the years, and now most of the focus is on the holiday’s trimmings – the tree, the music, gifts, and flying reindeer. But that is not at all what Christmas is about. The Bible declares, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger” (Luke 2:11-12). Today’s world struggles with exactly the same problems it did back when that tiny baby entered time and space and was laid in the manger. The world is still sin cursed, it is hopelessly lost; people are depressed, lonely and scared. The world then didn’t have any answers for humanity’s lost condition, and we are still trying to address its woes today. Science is trying to find vaccines and cure diseases to prolong life and rid the world of physical pain and suffering; politicians work and pass endless laws to try to end poverty and racism. But try as we might, there is only one answer – one cure to the world’s need, and it is found only through that baby who was born in the manger many years ago. The angel declared, “For unto you is born… a Savior…Christ the Lord!” That savior’s appearance was foretold centuries before by the Jewish prophet Isaiah, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The arrival of this single child would literally alter human history. He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14 – Luke 1:27). He was God’s plan for addressing the world’s biggest problem – sin. Jesus is Christ [Messiah] the Lord!

DECEMBER 7 THE EASY CHAIR By Rev. Dr. Philip Ginyard First Baptist Church of Swedesboro, New Jersey

Acts 1:8 This past summer, three Christian college students in my community – where I pastor and serve as Police Chaplain – met with me and requested my help. They were energetic and passionate about obtaining a permit from our local police department to conduct a peaceful protest march. Well, truth be told, I cringed and thought to myself, “Oh my!” That day I came to the harsh realization that I had been lulled into a space of complacency and convenience in my life and ministry, when I failed to recognize that the truth of the gospel constantly challenges and confronts our conventional mindset. The early first century church, located in Jerusalem, was forced to expand their reach of function and community beyond their initial location due to persecution (Acts 1:8). This was the practical impetus behind the apostles traveling beyond their comfortable borders to fulfill the great commission in places of hostility and vast diversity. All too often we believe that the church, and our walk with the Lord, can only be maintained by the familiar routine of niceties and familiarity. We eschew the idea that crises such as a pandemic, societal upheaval, and justice issues could possibly serve to enhance our spiritual development and maturity. If the prayer is, “Lord, please make sure that my church continues to enjoy a life of ease and comfort,” then that prayer runs counter to the narrative of the New Testament text, where often through great difficulty, debate and changes, the ecclesia emerged from a fledging gathering of Jewish followers to the veil torn, marvelous patchwork of people from diverse ethnicities, nationalities and cultures that work together in community to incarnate the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways where communities are transformed! These three college students received their march permit that day. I also added a prayer vigil, and hundreds in our community were united, heard the truth of the gospel, and I was once and for all displaced from my “easy chair.”

DECEMBER 8 PRAYER OF INTERCESSION: I’M PRAYING FOR YOU By Bob Brown Word of Life, Special Assistant to the Executive Director Philippians 1:3-4 A good friend and I have lunch together a few times a year. Since we have several friends in common, he almost always brings along his personal prayer journal; together, we go through the pages of names. He often asks if I have any updates on the prayer requests he has for each name. After one such lunch, it finally hit me – I should be doing the same thing! What a blessing those meals with him have been. Now, when someone asks me to pray for them, I record it in my personal prayer journal. I then pray through the names during my daily Quiet Time devotional. As we pray for others, we lift them up to God, asking Him to pour blessings into their lives. We recognize our own limitations and ask God to do for others what we are powerless to do ourselves. Intercessory prayer demonstrates our love for others because we forget ourselves and seek God’s best for them. One of the kindest, most powerful things someone can ever say is, “I’m praying for you.”

Did someone ask you to pray for them? Did you record the request? Who are you praying for today?

Thank you, Lord, for putting people in my life who pray for me. You bless and strengthen me by their prayers. Help me to follow the example of the Apostle Paul and my good friend who taught me by example how to pray for others.

DECEMBER 9 REMAIN IN MY LOVE By Karen Smith Word of Life, Dean of Women

John 15:9 Before Christ’s death, we find Him in a vineyard teaching His disciples the principle of abiding in Him. Among these beloved verses, He makes a startling statement in John 15:9: “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” Consider this question: how much does God the Father love Jesus the Son? In human terms… a lot. How inadequate, those words! They fail us. In all reality, there are NO words to fully express the vastness of this love. We can’t even begin to try and comprehend how great that love is. The Father’s love for His Son is huge, vast, eternal, abundant and without limits.

But, did you hear what Jesus said? “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you. ”

Whoa! As much as the Father loves the Son, that’s how much Jesus loves us! Let that sink in for a few seconds. How much is that love? Again – a lot. The reality is that He loves us far more than we will ever know. He loves us in our messiness. We don’t have to clean ourselves up so that He will love us – he already loves us without limits. Need proof? Look to His life. Look to what He left behind to redeem what He had created. Look to the cross and the sacrifice He was willing to pay because of His love. His love towards you is far more than you will ever know, and He bids us to “abide in My love.”

Put your tent pegs into the rich soil of this invitation. Live out that abundant love with which you are loved. In this season of celebrating Christ’s birth, let us also celebrate the reason He came – His great love for us.

DECEMBER 10 A SEASON OF LEARNING By Donald Calder Pastor at Temple Baptist Church, Sarnia, Ontario

Isaiah 43:19 It’s been nearly a year since I first remember hearing the word “Coronavirus.” I hadn’t been paying much attention to what was happening on the other side of the ocean. But, before long, I found myself in the middle of a global pandemic. New regulations were mandated – it felt restrictive and suffocating. There were moments I felt despair. I wasn’t finding it easy to live in this new reality. Just when I wanted to walk away from the pastorate, I read these words in Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” My eyes were opened to new possibilities, new approaches to ministry, and new opportunities that would allow my church to reach people in different ways for Jesus. There was a freshness to ministry that invigorated me. That day, Isaiah 43:19 reminded me that God is always working behind the scenes. He is working behind the scenes, even when I do not recognize it. He is working behind the scenes, even when I don’t acknowledge it. He is working behind the scenes even when the world is being torn apart.

When your comfortable life is disrupted, remember, God just might be doing a new thing. He might be opening a door of impact and influence – a door you never considered.

In the same way, God was doing a new thing 2000 years ago, when a baby was born in a stable in the middle of chaos. Life would never be the same again. A new door had opened, and God Himself walked through it in the most unexpected and unlikely way.

DECEMBER 11 POLITICS AND THE MANGER By Dr. Erwin Lutzer Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church, Chicago, Illinois

John 19:11 Luke’s version of the Christmas story begins with these words, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” (2:1). On the political level, it was a decree of King Caesar that was the reason for Mary and Joseph to go Bethlehem where Jesus would be born. Whether he knew it or not, Augustus helped the prophecy that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem be fulfilled. The Jews hated Roman rule – and with good reason. The people were heavily taxed for the benefit of Rome and its citizens. One of Jesus’ disciples was “Simon the zealot,” evidently a member of a political faction that plotted to restore Jewish nationalism and throw off the Roman yoke. Yes, Jesus was surrounded by political factions and hostility. For us in the United States, the heightened political rhetoric, the distrust, and the quest for power has reached new levels. Never before in our history has a populace been bombarded with a 24-hour news cycle – filled with shrill voices, outrageous accusations, and blatant propaganda. We have not been down a path quite like this before. Frankly, I have little hope that we can enter 2021 with anything that resembles national unity or rational discussion about what is best for America. However, this Christmas, let us remember: God entered this world to redeem us from sin, but also to eventually redeem us politically, when the Messiah reappears to reign. Meanwhile, let us not forget that the Caesars of this world, including the President of the United States, ultimately serve under the pleasure and purposes of God. While speaking to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who hated the Jews and slaughtered some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices in the Temple (Luke 13:1), Jesus said this: “You would have no authority over me unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:11) Yes, we elect our politicians, but can we pause for a moment and remind ourselves that God is still in charge? Whether or not our favorite politician wins an election, the baby in the manger reminds us that we must look beyond our confused world to God.

Let’s not let politics or even a pandemic eclipse our celebration of Christmas! Let us remember that the baby born in Bethlehem said, “My kingdom is not of this world!”

Even so come, Lord Jesus!

DECEMBER 12 I MUST FIRST PRAY By John Collins Word of Life Local Church Ministries, Director

I Timothy 2:1-2 God has impressed upon me in this passage that I must, first and foremost , pray.

Prayer is the one thing everyone can do, it’s a beautiful engagement of the Creator in the affairs of men. When prayer happens, incredible and even miraculous things occur. Prayer is also the key to seeing the lost come to Christ, as we know it is God’s will that everyone comes into a right relationship with Him through Christ. Sadly, I find that I need to constantly be reminded that prayer must be first, middle and last in all I do!

Prayer is where the power starts, because power starts at the source: The God of the Universe. Wow. Today I will make prayer a priority.

I love this reflection on prayer:

What the church needs today is not more or better machinery, not new or more organizations, not novel methods, but people the Holy Spirit can use: men and women of prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, He does not come on machinery, He does not anoint plans, but men and women mighty in prayer. (Adapted from The Complete Collection of E.M. Bounds on Prayer )

DECEMBER 13 RISING TO THE OCCASION By Tom Davis E.D. Word of Life, Distinguished Professor

Romans 8:37 “No pain, no gain” is a phrase from my athletic past. “Grow where you are planted” is a phrase from my agricultural past (okay, small vegetable garden!). “A person’s gifts make room for him” is a truism that King Solomon would probably agree with. Since they are so brief and easy to remember, they run through my mind whenever I face situations that seem to be larger than my capabilities.

Certainly, this year has stretched every human on the planet. Rising to the occasion is the proper response. Those without a firm foundation – an anchor for the soul – either stumble about confused or lash out in anger.

Those of us with a sense of destiny will rise to the occasion, using the Word of God to provide hope for the hopeless. We will not accomplish this in our own energy. Acts 2 is the secret power source. Fifty days after the veil into the Temple’s Holy of Holies was ripped from top to bottom with the death of Christ, on the day in the Jewish calendar when thanks was given for the wheat harvest (bread as the “staff of physical life”) and the anniversary of the giving of the Law of Moses (“staff of spiritual life”), the Holy Spirit of God was transferred from a building made of stone in one place on the planet into buildings made of flesh that can be anywhere on the planet. In Romans 8:37 Paul explains the explosive nature of this power: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” “More than conquerors” is hyper nikon in Greek. We bring “hyper” right into English as “over the top” or “don’t give that person anymore coffee!” “Nikon” is seen in our “Nike Missile System” (to “conquer” the enemy!). Also, it is the name of the athletic shoe worn by “victorious” athletes. When this was translated into Latin, it came across as super vincimus . We can see “invincible” in vincimus . And super? In Christ we are “super men” and “super women” set out to minister to the hopeless!

DECEMBER 14 KEEP YOUR HEART WITH ALL VIGILANCE By H.B. Charles, Jr. Pastor-Teacher at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida

Proverbs 4:23 Many people struggle to experience meaningful life change, because they deal with their problems downstream instead of upstream. They work downstream to get debris out of the water, but the more they remove, the more flows in. True change only happens when you go upstream and address the heart of the matter.

What does it mean to keep your heart with all vigilance?

Keep your heart flowing. A stream will dry up if there is no source of water flowing into it. So will our hearts! The heart cannot survive on its own strength, wisdom, or resources. We need to praise the glory of God in worship. We need to feed on the truth of God in Scripture. We need to trust the help of God through prayer. “Blessed is the heart that thirsts for God, as a deer pants for streams of water” (Psalm 42:1). Keep your heart clean. The tragedy of an oil spill is not the wrecked ship that caused the spill – it’s the contamination of the water and the destruction of life that results. In the same way, if your heart is polluted, your life will be polluted. By the atoning blood of Christ, the sanctifying power of the Spirit, and the renewing work of the Word, keep your heart clean. Pray with David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:1). Keep your heart strong. When a stream flows in many different directions, its strength is dissipated. Life works the same way. You may feel the pressure to chase after many good things in life, but if you do not guard your heart, the good becomes the enemy of the best. A strong heart is not a shared heart. Keep your heart strong by a single-minded devotion to the Lord. Share Paul’s testimony, “This one thing I do…” (Philippians 3:12-14). Keep your heart quiet. As the storms of life rage, the tumult disturbs the unkept heart. The temptation is to flee to a place of peace. But if the storm rages within, relocation will not find a calm refuge. Conversely, the quieted heart stands firm in the tempest. Do not worry about anything. Pray about everything. As you pray your worries away, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Keep your heart useful. Nothing lives in the Dead Sea, because waters flow into it from the Jordan River, but nothing flows out. There must be inflow and outflow to sustain life. Guard the flow of your heart in its comings and goings. As the truth, love, and grace of God flow in, obedience, service and generosity should flow out. Be a river, not a reservoir. Pour into the lives of others from the overflow of the Lord’s goodness to you.

DECEMBER 15 MARY’S QUESTION By Dr. Ray Pritchard President of Keep Believing Ministries

Luke 1:34 “How will this be” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

This is a perfectly natural question, as Mary is betrothed but not formally married. She has never had sexual relations with any man. How then can she become pregnant and bear a son?

In the history of the church, Mary has often been portrayed as a kind of misty, other-worldly figure. If you look at some of the great paintings of Mary, they make her look so peaceful that you almost forget she was a real person. That’s a shame, because Luke makes it clear that she was very real, with very real doubts, very real questions and very real faith. Nowhere is this seen with more clarity than in verse 38:

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Without exaggeration, we may call this one of the greatest statements of faith in all the Bible. We read it so often that we forget how great it really is. The angel told Mary, A. You’re going to get pregnant, B. You’re going to give birth to a son, and C. He’s going to be the Son of God. When you ask how, he says, “Don’t worry about it. The Holy Spirit will cover you like a cloud and you’ll end up pregnant. That’s all there is to it.” What do you say to that?

Mary said yes. Yes to God, yes to the impossible, yes to His plan.

When the angel said, “Nothing is impossible with God,” Mary took a deep breath and said, “Be it unto me as you have said.” And with those words, Christmas came to the world.

Our Father, we do not pray for more faith; we pray rather for courage to exercise the faith we already have. Make us like Mary, willing to believe despite our doubts. Amen.

DECEMBER 16 DAZED BY GOD’S GLORY By Christine Wyrtzen Recording Artist, Author, Speaker, and Host of Daughters of Promise

Luke 2:9 Oh, to be chosen to witness the glory of God being made manifest all around me. The shepherds didn’t ask to see it, they didn’t try to earn it, and they surely didn’t expect it. The unmerited favor of God intersected their personal history and brought an experience the likes of which they would never forget. Nothing in the future would eclipse the memory of that night, when the heavens opened up. The veil that limited their spiritual eyesight was temporarily lifted. Are such defining moments possible today for the one who loves God? Yes. There are moments that become mountaintops; encounters that become a Bethel. Don’t settle for monotony. Don’t live on yesterday’s manna. Seek, listen, and pursue God relentlessly, and the glory of the Lord will be near to you at an unsuspecting time. An ordinary day will be turned upside down as the eternal penetrates the temporal. God’s glory will so fill your field of vision that earth’s trinkets will no longer dazzle the eyes. Those around you may not see the holy moments, but you will. You’ll take your shoes off even as you remember it. In the afterglow, you will live dazed. You will tremble in the distraction of such a memory. Such is the condition of one who has seen God pass by.

Lord, I want to commune with you in a place that doesn’t need words. Amen

DECEMBER 17 HIS NAME IS JESUS

By Dr. Wendell Calder Evangelist, Bible Teacher

Matthew 1:21 JESUS is His name, and all other names are titles. The basic meaning of the name JESUS is SAVIOR. My greatest problem is a sin problem, so my greatest need is a Savior from sin. 2 Peter 3:18 states that Jesus, once for all, suffered and paid the penalty of sin which is death (Romans 3:23). However, the grave could not hold Him, so He arose bringing to the world a living Savior. Acts 4:12 states there is no other Savior; salvation is only found in Jesus. Let’s do a mini Bible Study on this name above all other names:

J – The letter “J” in His name speaks of JOY ! There is a chorus which says, “If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy, let Jesus come into your heart.” Real joy only comes as the result of a personal relationship with Jesus.

E – The “E” speaks of ETERNAL , as everything concerning Him is eternal. He is eternal in His PERSON, PROCLAMATION AND PROVISION. He said, “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish.”

S – The first “S” in His name speaks of SATISFACTION – we are created by God to seek fulfillment and satisfaction. There is a well-known gospel song entitled, “ Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your Soul. ”

U – The letter “U” tells me that Jesus is UNIQUE , which means different, one of a kind, no other like him. Here is how He is unique:

1. THE ONLY PERSON WHO LIVED BEFORE HE WAS BORN 2. THE ONLY PERSON ONLY BORN SO HE COULD DIE 3. THE ONLY PERSON WHO DIED SO YOU AND I COULD LIVE ETERNALLY

S – The second “S” in His Name presents Him as SAVIOR . Note that our text says, “...He shall save His people from their sins.” The great news is that you can know this Savior personally, and here is how – I call it the TRIPLE ‘A’ PLAN :

1. ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER 2. ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS AS THE ONLY SAVIOR FROM SIN 3. ACCEPT HIM PERSONALLY INTO YOUR LIFE

DECEMBER 18 JESUS, THE SOURCE OF LIFE By Kris Stout Word of Life, Executive Vice President of International and Local Church Ministries

John 15:5 One year, I purchased a pre-cut Christmas tree way too early, and then failed to water it. As time went on it dried up, until on Christmas Eve the dog ran into it, and it sounded like a rainfall of needles. I had to throw it out and borrow a fake tree from a neighbor that night!

Every fresh cut tree is destined to eventually shrivel up and completely die. Why is that? Because it has been cut off from the root, the source of life. Jesus reminds us of this same thing in John 15:5 .

When we are connected to Jesus, we enjoy tremendous fruit-bearing power. The power that is His is ours, simply because we are abiding in Him. But when we cut ourselves off from Him, when we fail to spend time with Him daily, to pray without ceasing, to read His Word, we cut ourselves off from the very source of life and will eventually shrivel up and die. Apart from Him we can do NOTHING. If you were to be completely honest, are you trying today to just keep up appearances? Are you decorating the tree of your life on the outside, but withering away on the inside? Maybe this season needs to be one where you reconnect with Christ in a fresh new way and enjoy the daily limitless power that can be yours.

DECEMBER 19 LORD, I NEED YOU By Lorna Simcox Friends of Israel, Senior Editor

Romans 5:8 I’ve never been much of a swimmer. In fact, I doubt I’d be able to swim well enough to save my own life. But when my oldest daughter was 4, we went to North Carolina to visit family. My sister-in-law owned a marina, and my daughter and I made ourselves comfortable dangling our feet over the edge of the dock. The water beneath was deep, dark, and murky, and a strong current was carrying it out to the ocean. I thought, “I don’t think I’d have the courage to jump in and save her if she fell.” Not two seconds later, my child fell off the dock into the water and disappeared. In a split second, I jumped in after her, loving her so much that I gave no thought to the fact I couldn’t swim, or that we both might drown. I prayed, “Lord, I need you to find her.” Holding on to the dock, I felt my way toward the deeper water. As I swung my left leg up, it hit something. I reached down and scooped up my girl, lifting her high over my head and saving her life. That’s what Jesus did for us. We were all drowning in the deep, murky water of sin, and He jumped in to save us because of His great love for us. He came to earth to rescue us from eternal condemnation and offer us everlasting life through faith in Him. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). His love for us is so deep we may never truly understand it. All He asks is that we confess our sin and helplessness and let Him save us. “The one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). What better time of year than Christmas to acknowledge the greatest and most powerful love in the world, which is God’s love for you and me.

DECEMBER 20 GOD’S TIMING, NOT MINE By Mike VanProoyen Word of Life Philippines Field Director and Regional Director of Word of Life Indo-Pacific

Ecclesiastes 3:11 In Genesis 3:15, God promised to Adam and Eve that one day Someone would come to restore the relationship between God and man which was broken by sin. The only question was this: Who would it be, and when would He come? Have you ever had to wait for something that you desired with all your heart? As a child, I can remember anticipating Christmas all year. As we put up the Christmas tree and saw the presents my parents would put under the tree, the anticipation grew – but we still had to wait to open the presents and celebrate Christmas. When sin came into the world, the perfect relationship between God and man was broken. The only way this relationship could be restored was through the Son of God taking the form of a man, shedding His blood and dying for the sins of the world. Throughout the Old Testament, we see the anticipation and excitement growing as Israel awaited the Messiah who was promised. 2020 has been a year of anticipation. On March 15, the ministry of Word of Life Philippines was halted due to COVID-19. This ministry, which saw more than 35,000 campers in 2019 and countless lives changed for eternity, slowed to a stop. The anticipation for restrictions to be lifted and for young people to return has been our greatest desire. Although virtual forms of ministry have been employed, we eagerly anticipate the day we see the camp full of young people hearing the gospel and trusting in the Savior who came 2,000 years ago. I have learned much about patience this year. I have learned that God is in control, and I am only a steward of His ministry. In His perfect timing, this ministry will be thriving again. In the meantime, we wait patiently (and eagerly!), faithfully serving Him in what He’s placed before us in this moment.

DECEMBER 21 WHAT A SAVIOR! By Don Lough, Jr. President and CEO, Word of Life Fellowship, Inc.

Luke 2:11 On the chilly hills outside of Bethlehem, shepherds quietly minded their flocks during the dark night hours. Imagine their shock when the skies suddenly exploded with light, and they heard the angels announce the news, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The shepherds’ fear quickly gave way to sheer joy as they realized that the promised Messiah had been born. Jesus, the Savior, was here! As our world lingers today in uncertainty and longs for hope and answers, many people remain unaware that Jesus the Savior has come and desires an intimate relationship with them. People need to hear that Jesus is a personal Savior . The words, “For unto you,” reveal that God desires to meet people right where they are… whatever their fears and baggage may be. He is not willing that any single person should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Our world needs to know that Jesus is the promised Savior . Christ’s birth was not a random event or a fabricated story. God’s plan to send Jesus to save sinners is traced all through the Old Testament. Seven hundred years before Jesus’s birth, Micah pinpointed His arrival to the obscure village of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). God is true to His Word and can be fully trusted. I love that the angels’ message to the shepherds was ultimately intended for “all people” (Luke 2:10). This fact means that Jesus must be a proclaimed Savior . The shepherds could not contain their excitement, and neither should we! What a privilege to proclaim the good news that Jesus was born, He died to save us from our sins, He was buried, and He rose again from the grave, conquering sin and death. What a Savior!

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