One truth shared: Grace is the key to creating meaningful community.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7

Better Together

Throughout the six days of creation, there was only one thing that God called “not good.” That one thing was Adam’s loneliness. So before day six was done, God created woman and brought her to him.

To this day, loneliness is still not a good thing. Researchers point to countless studies that show the negative effects loneliness has on a person. Some studies suggest that loneliness is even worse for you than smoking.

Humans were created for community. The need for one another was baked into our very being. But as it always does, sin steals from us what we need the most.

Throughout the Scriptures (and perhaps in your own life), you can see examples of how sin separates people from one another. Sin makes it so that people cannot coexist the way we were designed to. Just like two papers glued together will rip when you try to separate them, so it tears us apart when human relationships are broken by sin.

This is bad. But not as bad as the greater relationship that was broken between God and us. The distance from God created by our sin is insurmountable. Nothing in this world can fix it, and nothing in this world can fill the hole.

So God sent someone to this world who could fix it. Jesus filled the gaping hole between us and God with his own righteousness, and he brought us back to God when he paid for our sin.

The beautiful result is that you now have the power to restore human relationships that have been broken by sin. The power comes from the grace that you received from God himself.

When several people come together with relationships restored through Christ, that’s what we call the church. Is it perfect? No. But that’s the beauty of grace. Imperfect as we are, God’s Spirit works fruits in each person that are for the common good. Relationships restored. Grace overflowing. Now Jesus looks at his church that he gathered, and what he sees is very good!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for restoring me to be in a close relationship with you. Allow me to be the answer to someone else’s loneliness this week. Amen.

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One truth shared: You have been given confidence to stand before others.

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.
Acts 17:31

Confidence to Stand

It has been said that the two things people fear most are death and public speaking. And for many people, public speaking is the more frightening of the two.

Just imagine standing in front of a crowd with all their attention undeniably focused on you. Being in a situation like that can make you hyper-focused on yourself. You wonder how you come across to people. You worry about what people might be thinking about you.

You might be able to go through life avoiding the big stages. But the scripture points out that there’s one stage that nobody can avoid. One day we will all stand before God in judgment.

As you stand in front of your all-knowing Creator, how easy it might be to feel as if a million eyes are on you. He will see you as you are, as you were, and as you could have been. He will see beyond your behavior and discern your hidden intentions. Did you lust in your heart or coat the truth in your head? No sin will be able to hide in the light of his perfect judgement.

Despite how frightful that may sound, scripture also adds a beautiful truth. The one who will judge you is the one who already absolved you.

While the day of judgment has not come yet, the verdict for you has already been determined. The justice for your sins was already served on Jesus. The holiness God expects from you was wrapped around you like a robe. So when you stand before God in judgment, his eyes will be on Jesus instead of you.

When you find yourself worrying what other people might be thinking about you, that’s a cue to find your identity in what God has already declared about you. It does not really matter how people might judge you in their minds. When God sees you, he sees his Son whom he loves. Imagine a life where your confidence was not dependent on what people might think about you. Jesus’ empty tomb means you have been given the confidence to stand before God himself.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I often lack confidence because I am too concerned by what other people might think about me. Help me live in the confidence that Jesus alone can provide. Amen.

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One truth shared: Applying Jesus’ words makes you better at life.

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:20,21

Better Life

Do you believe that your life is better when you put Jesus’ words into practice?

At the conclusion of his longest recorded sermon, Jesus told people how important it was to put his words into practice. He used the illustration of a person building a house.

He said that there is no benefit if you merely listen to his words and do not apply them to life. He compared it to building a house with no foundation. Your life might seem fine on the outside, but hardships will show that there is no stability.

But when you listen to his words and apply them, Jesus said you will have a solid foundation upon which to build your life. Storms will still come, but you will be able to withstand them.

So when you apply Jesus’ words to your life, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your life immediately gets better. It doesn’t mean that you will bypass the hardships of having a sinful nature or living in a sinful world. Storms will still come. Temptations will still hit you with the same force.

But when you take Jesus’ teachings and live by them, something amazing happens. It makes you better at life. Storms cannot move you when you have Jesus’ resurrection power as your foundation. Hardships cannot break you when your core identity is found in the declaration that Jesus forgives you. Temptations cannot entice you when everything you need is already given in Christ.

Living out Jesus’ words makes you better at life, but don’t do it just for your benefit. Do it as a testament to the incredible power of God at work in you. When you follow Jesus and suffer for it, you demonstrate to the world the incredible, resilient power of God at work in you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you suffered for doing right, and the result was my salvation. Help me demonstrate complete trust in you, so that your resurrection power would be shown through me. Amen.

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One truth shared: Knowing how your story ends helps you navigate your story.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8,9

You Know the Ending

Ever find yourself watching a predictable movie? There’s a tense moment where you don’t exactly know how the hero can win, but you know that the hero always wins. So, you just wait to see how they do it.

Life is full of tense moments too. There are some chapters where everything goes according to plan:

Grades are up. Friends are close. Family is together. Future seems clear.

But then there are chapters of life when things are anything but certain. You are frustrated by a class. Your friends seem distant. Your family doesn’t seem to care. Maybe the path you envisioned for your future is totally erased.

Those chapters are not fun. But they do not have to take you off track.

Jesus experienced the joys of discovery and the joyful laughter of friendship. He also experienced the sting of grief and the pain of betrayal. But no matter what happened, there was never any question how his story would end. He would give up his life as a sacrificial payment for your sins. And then he would come back to life to prove that the payment was good.

Sometimes your life will be predictable. A lot of times it won’t be. The good news is that your hero won the battle over sin and death for you. The circumstances of today hit differently when you compare them to the certainty you have about your eternity.

Is there an uncertainty in your life right now that you are wrestling with? Are you doubting God’s ability to work good through it? Because of Easter, you already know how your story ends. All that remains is to see how God works out the details between now and then.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, there are times in my life when I can be anxious because of the uncertainties I face. Thank you for coming into my life to show me how my story ends. Help me trust you every step of the way. Amen.

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One truth shared: A better King!

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9

King

When it comes to your life, who is your “king”? I’m not talking about some royal ruler or political entity, but rather who or what do you turn to for comfort, for security, for peace, for hope? Most who are Christians would probably answer “God” or “Jesus” and rightly so. After all, the blessing of living life under the guidance and blessing of God is among the most basic of Christian teachings.

But, for as easy as it is to say that Jesus is the “king” in our lives, it’s interesting to note how hard it can be to live according to that confession. There might be times when we live as though the king is someone or something other than God.

• Maybe it’s the quiet attitude that our own hard work and careful planning are what guarantee a smooth and successful life!
• Maybe it’s secular authorities: if we could just elect the better people and enact the perfect policies and advocate for the right causes—then life would be good!
• Maybe it’s human innovation and technology. Science and medicine seem to have the answers to everything!

And yet, for as many times as God brings amazing blessings into our lives through all of these things, we are served well by making sure they don’t become the ultimate “king” so to speak, because they aren’t always reliable! Problems arise that we didn’t anticipate, the new group of political leaders struggles just as much as the previous one only in different ways, and there are plenty of challenges that science and medicine don’t have the answers to.

Who is your king? Jesus is—and that makes all the difference.

Zechariah described King Jesus in prophecy using these words: “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Appearances can be deceiving. Earthly kings usually aren’t gentle, and they definitely don’t ride donkeys. But for Jesus that’s exactly the point. What does King Jesus bring? Exactly what you need. Righteousness. Salvation. Righteousness not found by human power but by the Savior’s selfless sacrifice. Righteousness earned by a perfect payment for sin. Righteousness that brings salvation—first as Jesus rules the world already now through the lives and testimony of his people and later the fully realized salvation that God’s people have in heaven!

What better king could there be? Live in that knowledge! Live knowing that no matter what kind of chaos or uncertainty life might bring your way, Jesus already defeated your greatest enemies, and satisfied your deepest spiritual need, guaranteeing that you share in his victory and are a citizen of his eternal kingdom!

Prayer: Dear Jesus our King, you rule the world in truth and grace, nations and kingdoms bow to your will and move at your command. Teach me to submit myself to your reign over my life. Protect me from my sinful desires that lead me to depend on myself and so many other things instead of you. Point me to your sacrifice for me and the many blessings you promise. Amen.

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One truth shared: Jesus offers spiritual sight.

His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
John 9:2,3

Sight

Why did God allow that tragedy happen? Why did that natural disaster strike? Why did he get sick? Why did she break up with me? Why did that car accident happen? Why, God? When hard things happen, it’s easy to wonder “why”? In John 9, the disciples thought they had an answer to such questions when they met a man who had been born blind. “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

It’s a logical line of thought. Was this man’s blindness a punishment for something he had done? Something his parents had done? What about today? Maybe this hard thing I’m facing is God punishing me! If I’m honest, I have to admit that I’ve been treated far better than I rightly deserve! Or, when life is going smoothly, maybe a related question arises: Lots of people have hardships, when is my turn coming? Surely I deserve it!

Such thinking seems to make sense, but the Bible calls such thinking spiritual blindness. It misses a critical point: God doesn’t interact with his people that way. Why not? One word: Jesus! Jesus already took care of all the punishment there is for sin! He already took on his back the entirety of God’s wrath. He paid for the smallest sins of thought that fly across the mind and that major transgression from years ago that you just can’t seem to get out of your head and everything in between!

That beautiful reality doesn’t necessarily answer the question “why” when it comes to hardships, but it does grant a change of perspective in a very important way: Hardship is indeed hard, but it’s not punishment for sin! That’s spiritual sight, and it’s based on Jesus all the way. When Jesus died he said, “It is finished,” and it was. Because of that, hard things have a blessing-filled place in the beautiful purposes God has drawn up for his world and for your life. That was the case for the blind man. Jesus told his disciples, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” Jesus went on to heal the man and taught all who were watching an important lesson.

The same thing is true for you. God’s purposes might be realized in quiet words of encouragement offered to someone suffering something similar, calm confidence in the Savior’s promises amidst most challenging of times, or patient endurance under persecution. That’s spiritual sight! Look at the promises of God, and you’ll find the strength to accept even things that remain hard to understand!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, sometimes life and the world are hard, confusing, and painful. Sometimes it’s hard for me to see what your plan is. Help me overcome my spiritual blindness by fixing my attention on your precious promises. Grant me the calm of quiet trust in your forgiveness, and the perspective of looking at life through your promises. Teach me to rely on your promises and accept even those things I struggle to understand. Amen.

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One truth shared: The only one who can save you is Jesus.

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
John 3:13-15

The Only One

You’re not good enough. You’re too young. You’re too inexperienced. You don’t know what life is really like—you should sit this one out and let those with more experience handle it! Isn’t it frustrating when you hear that? You know full well there’s value to experience, but doesn’t hard work and persistence and the energy of youth count for something? Just let me try it! And when you do try, what if you fail? The pressure is on!

All of this is natural, and it’s not unique to your younger years. It’s human nature to try and take care of yourself, to long for independence and freedom… and that aspect of human nature extends beyond daily needs. It can creep into spiritual thinking as well. It’s easy to repeat the biblical teaching: “I’m not perfect, I’m sinful and I need a Savior.” But it’s a lot harder to live in that reality—it’s much easier to try and explain away our shortcomings rather than taking responsibility. Everyone around me says those words—it can’t be that bad. It’s just a picture on a phone—no one is actually getting hurt—it’s not that big of a deal. Sure, I’m not perfect, but I go to church more often than not, and I’m generally a nice person. Doesn’t that count for something?

Today’s Bible reading shows us a man who likely had similar thoughts at times. This man’s name was Nicodemus, and he’d been raised in the customs and way of life of God’s Old Testament people. Sacrifices, festivals, fasting, a special diet, and so much more—he did it all, and then some! He was a member of the Pharisees—pious religious leaders, well respected among the people. Surely that counts for something!

Ahh, but Jesus knows better. What Nicodemus had done wasn’t enough to please God. In the same way, what you and I do isn’t enough to please God. It falls so far short it would be laughable if it weren’t for the eternal consequence of hell. Notice the repeated words Jesus uses throughout this conversation: no one. No one can see the kingdom of God… no one… can enter the kingdom of God… no one… has gone into heaven. The best efforts of people fall short.

But there is an exception. No one, Jesus says, except the Son! Jesus can please God, and he did. What’s more, he did it for you. In Jesus you are reborn as God’s dearly loved child. God is pleased with you! In Jesus, you can have confidence in life even if other people have doubts, because it doesn’t depend on you. You aren’t what you make of yourself—you are what Jesus made you to be! A child of God!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, you have redeemed me and called me into your family. Teach me to rely on you and your work on my behalf instead of finding satisfaction in my own actions and the opinions of others. Lead me to live each day secure in the knowledge that I was reborn in the waters and promises of my baptism and my new identity as your dearly loved child. Amen.

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One truth shared: Jesus gives us glory through his cross.

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Matthew 17:1-9

The Glory of the Lord

“I don’t wanna leave,” Lauren whispered. “We can’t leave. I just wanna stay here forever.”

Lauren was standing on a mountaintop overlooking the beach, the ocean, and a picture-perfect sunset. Tears started welling up in Lauren’s eyes as she thought about going down that mountain leaving. This glorious sunset was the perfect ending to a perfect vacation. Her family’s first time in Hawaii. A week of no homework and no worries. She even got to bring along her bestie Ellie for the trip. “I don’t wanna leave either,” Ellie said. “I don’t wanna go back to that.”

You know what that is, don’t you? That non-stop pile of assignments which never gets smaller. That relationship drama. That worrying about what you’re doing and where you’re going in the future. That fighting with parents. That aching pain from heartbreak. That devastation when disaster or death strike.

No wonder Lauren and Ellie wanted to stay in that glorious Hawaiian moment on the mountain. Who wants to worry? Who wants to ache? Who wants to suffer?

Maybe it’s not so hard to understand why Peter said what he did on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus had been shining with the glory of the Lord and as bright as the sun. Moses and Elijah, heroes of faith, had appeared. And all the worries and problems of life seemed to be left down below. Who would want to leave that glorious moment? Who would want to go back down the mountain to all the pains and problems, suffering and sadness of everyday life? “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” No kidding!

But while it surely was good to be there, Peter’s comment was short-sighted and missing the point. Jesus didn’t come to give a momentary flash of glory on the Mount of Transfiguration—he came to win eternal glory on the mount called Calvary. Peter’s comment, though understandable, had a rather worldly focus to it. He was attracted to the glory here, in that moment, not in the greater glory that was yet to come. Peter forgot that before the glory comes the cross.

We often do the same with Jesus. We spend a lot of time and effort looking for glory here in this world. We want those glorious sunset moments of endless blessings all the time. “Lord, it’s good to be here,” we are so quick to think. But then when we suffer, when we get sick, when we have troubles, we become angry or frustrated. We doubt or question God. “Jesus, why can’t we stay here on this mountain?”

God forgive our short-sighted, misfocused hearts! Jesus did not come to give us worldly moments of glory here. Jesus came to give us eternal glory in heaven. The Son, whom the Father loved so dearly, needed to go to the cross so that we could be dearly loved children with whom the Father is so pleased. First came the cross of Christ, so that we can later see the glory of Christ in heaven.

So also in everyday life, first must come the cross. No cross, no Christian. Just as Jesus needed to go down that mount so he could go to the cross on Calvary, so now we must first take up the cross of following Christ as we suffer in a sin-filled world. But this “mount” of suffering is not the end for us. Someday soon, Jesus will take us home to Mount Zion, our heavenly dwelling, where we will see Jesus face to face in all his glory and for all eternity.

Dear teen, take heart! First comes the cross, then comes the glory. May the Savior who overcame the cross with his victory strengthen you each day until that joyful day when you will see his glory and never leave.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on you and your cross. Because you suffered on the cross on Mount Calvary, I will receive glory on Mount Zion in heaven. Give me strength to endure suffering now until the day you call me home to glory in heaven. Amen.

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One truth shared: God-given identity moves us to live differently.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9,10

Different me acts differently

Two teachers teach the same class to the same grade at the same school. Both teachers give the same test on the same day. Teacher 1 says, “Don’t cheat” and then leaves the room to use the bathroom. What happens? Many students cheat. Teacher 2 also needs to use the bathroom while the students are taking the test. Before leaving the room, Teacher 2 says, “Don’t be a cheater.” What happens? No one cheats. Why do many students cheat for Teacher 1 but no one cheats for Teacher 2? It is to do with connection between identity and actions. Actions (“don’t cheat”) do not determine identity. Identity (“don’t be a cheater”) determines actions.

Look at the identity God has given you. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” All of these groups are people who are different from the rest. If the rest are the sinful people of the world, then that means God is saying your identity is a person who is sinless. God has called you out of the darkness of sin and unbelief and brought you into the light of forgiveness and faith. Your identity is now as a person who has no sin.

You might think that can’t be true. You know the sin that you have committed. But remember, your actions don’t determine your identity. God does. Instead, your God-given identity is going to determine your actions.

So here is what you should do. Every day, wake up and say, “I am different. I am a holy, chosen, child of God.” And then, go be who you are! Do things that godly children of God do because that is who you are. Stop sinning, love others, and tell people about Jesus. Be different. And then at the end of the day, if you messed it up and didn’t act like a child of God, be honest and confess it. Hear God say, “I forgive you.” Have peace knowing that your identity hasn’t changed. God still announces that you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. You are sinless.

Prayer: Lord, you have given me my identity. Help me to live in a way that reflects who you have made me. Help me to find my self-worth and value in the person that you have made me. Thank you for sending Jesus to make me like Jesus, someone who is sinless. Amen.

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One truth shared: Jesus comes into our darkest moments and brings the light of his truth and love.

When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

Isaiah 8:19-9:4

The Light in the Darkness

As unpleasant as it might be, think of a dark time in your life.

A time when you suffered. A time when you were confused or angry. A time when you lost hope.

Darkness has long been associated with these things. In the Bible, darkness not only refers to these things, but also to sin, unbelief, and death.

Read Isaiah 8:19-22 again.

It’s not a pretty picture, is it? Isaiah describes zombie-like people who wander around in the darkness distressed, hungry, angry… and dead—dead inside.

It’s a description of a people who look only to themselves and their own resources to solve their problems. Not finding answers, they become enraged with their leaders and with God. Then, they look one last time at their own abilities and resources. They find no ultimate answers or help and are thrown into utter hopelessness.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we need to admit we’re often like these zombie-like creatures. We think we can get along in life just fine without God. We’ve found other people or other information that seems more modern and logical than the God of the Bible.

And we don’t think our sin problem is anything drastic, so we just try and deal with that ourselves, too.

Then, when problems come along in our lives, we get upset with anyone (especially God) besides ourselves.

However, here’s the amazing thing about God. When we were at our worst… when we were angry, hopeless, and dead inside, he came to us.

Jesus came to this dark world and lit it up with peace, joy, and hope. Though our oppressors were great (sin, death, and the devil), he was greater. He defeated darkness on the cross.

Jesus still comes to us in our dark times. He speaks to us in his Word. He whispers peace into our hearts and shouts at our enemies to stay away.

What darkness in your life are you hiding from Jesus? Don’t be shy or afraid. Go to him.

His light of truth and love will bring healing and hope.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for coming as a light into this dark world. Light up my own heart with your truth and love. Amen.

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One truth shared: Jesus Christ is God’s real Chosen One.

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Acts 10:34-38

The Real Chosen One

What do Harry Potter, Frodo (Lord of the Rings) and Luke Skywalker have in common?

They all are “chosen ones”—a hero who rises up to defeat an evil enemy and stop an impending disaster. Harry conquers Lord Voldemort. Frodo destroys the Ring. Luke Skywalker defeats Darth Vader.

Story lines that involve “chosen ones” are some of the most popular of all time. That’s because we have a keen sense that there is evil in the world and we’re in need of being rescued. And only the one who is chosen is up to the task.

But none of these “chosen ones” in the books and movies are real. They only point to our realization that we need a real Chosen One. Not some made up character. We need one with flesh on.

This is what makes Jesus Christ from Nazareth different, not only from made up characters, but also from any other religious figure. Peter points out Jesus is God’s Anointed or Chosen One. God was with him and the miracles and healings he performed proved it.

Yet, the biggest difference between Jesus and other self-proclaimed “chosen ones” is what he was chosen to do. He was chosen to suffer. He was chosen to take our place on a cross. He was chosen to die.

Only that path was the path that could truly defeat our evil enemies of sin, death, and the devil.

And Peter says something else that’s equally amazing. He calls you God’s chosen one, too! Peter says God doesn’t play favorites. He doesn’t choose you based on your upbringing, family, talents, race, gender, or even your good deeds.

God chooses you because he loves you. He chose you to be part of his family through faith in Jesus Christ—the real Chosen One.

Since you are chosen and accepted by God, you don’t have to live for the acceptance and approval of others. You don’t have to spend an exhausting amount of time and resources trying to prove that you’re a “somebody.” You know God already made you somebody—his dearly loved child bought with the blood of Jesus Christ!

You’re free to spend your time and resources to follow God. You’re free to love others.

It’s a great way to live!

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for giving us the real Chosen One that we needed. Through Jesus we have peace with you. Thank you for also choosing us to be part of your family. Let your acceptance of us sink deep into our souls, causing us to live a free life—one that’s unchained from trying to prove ourselves to other people. We are already yours through the peace that Jesus won for us! Amen.

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One truth shared: The one whom we unwrap in the manger is truly God and helps us to know God.

In these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through him he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:2,3

Unwrapping God

Each family has their own traditions when it comes to opening gifts. Some open them on Christmas Eve. Others on Christmas morning. But whenever you open them, most of the unwrapping fun comes in the discovery. What is hidden underneath this wrapping paper and beneath all this tissue paper? In my humble opinion, some of the best gifts are ones in which a person can constantly discover new gifts hidden in each of the gifts.

As we unwrap God this Christmas, we have to get beyond the cliched ideas about him and discover new gifts hidden in the gift. What do we find when we unwrap this One lying in the manger? To say that we have found God doesn’t seem to go far enough. In fact, the writer of the verse above can’t seem to say enough about who he is. And we’ve only got two verses in front of us! Consider a few highlights:

1. Jesus is the Way by which we know God. In other words, if you want to know what God is like, you have to listen to his Son. He is the One through whom God speaks.
2. Jesus is the One who made this world and everything in it together with the Father. Indeed, he still holds this world together with his almighty, creative, and creative Word.
3. He is the radiance of God’s glory. To say it simply, the Son is the reflection of God, but not like you when you look in the mirror. He is the real deal. Truly and fully, God. He isn’t a knock-off Nike. He is the original, the real, and the only true God.

As we keep pulling back the wrapping paper on this child lying in the manger, he is truly a wonder to behold. Today, just marvel at what you find there and know that he is fully for you. It may seem cliché to say it, yet it is true. This one whom we unwrap is your God and your Savior. He is yours, and you are his. Merry Christmas!

Prayer: Lord God, you were given by the Father for me. You came down from heaven for me. Thank you. Help me to look to you as God’s highest gift to me. Amen.

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One truth shared: Everyone struggles with doubt, but we can find comfort in our Savior Jesus who handles our doubt with love and compassion.

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Matthew 11:2-11‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Dealing with Doubt

Doubt. The devil loves to create it in the heart and mind of every person—doubt about God and his promises. It’s what he used in the garden of Eden. He questioned Adam and Eve and caused them to doubt God’s words as well as his goodness and love for them.

Doubt is the devil’s greatest power. He uses whatever he can—fine sounding arguments, challenges in life, etc.—to raise questions in our mind. He works through anybody he can—teachers, professors, bosses, coworkers, friends, and even family—to make us doubt the words of God that he gives us in the Bible.

And the devil shows no partiality. He attacks everyone, unbelievers and believers, people of weak faith or those of strong faith.

John the Baptist was one of those guys who was strong in faith. He was the forerunner for the Messiah. He confronted religious leaders and kings and called them to repentance. He pointed people to their Savior, the Messiah. But the devil attacked him too. He preyed on John when John was thrown into prison. He created doubts in John’s mind causing him to ask, “Jesus, are you the one sent to save us—or not?”

How did Jesus respond to John’s doubts? How does Jesus respond to your doubts? Look at today’s Bible verses from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus doesn’t scold us and tell us that we should know better. He doesn’t humiliate us either. Instead, he points back to the evidence of his works and his Word. He assures us that he is indeed the Messiah that was long promised in the Bible. He encourages us and reminds us that as children of God we are among the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He sweeps away our doubts and strengthens our faith.

When you struggle with doubt, take heart! Your Savior Jesus loves you. He came to die for you and his blood covers your doubts. He comes to you with compassion and understanding when you doubt. His words give you assurance that he is indeed the long-promised Messiah and you are his dear child.

Prayer: Merciful Savior, we praise you for looking on us with compassion when we doubt. Forgive us when we doubt your Word, and assure us of your grace and unfailing love. Amen.

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One truth shared: Our King Jesus brings a divine peace.

“This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
Isaiah‬ ‭2:1-5‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Picture of Peace

From the on-going war in the Ukraine to the struggles in our own living rooms, this world is full of conflict. Even during the holiday season, when families get together and times are supposed to be festive and joyful, we still experience conflict—arguments, hurt feelings, broken relationships, worry. And conflict robs us of a peace that we all yearn for.

The prophet Isaiah experienced conflict in his life too. His home nation of Israel was being threatened by foreign powers. Unfaithful kings were leading God’s people astray. Most people were unwilling to listen to Isaiah’s call to repentance and refused to turn back to the God who saved them. Isaiah too yearned for peace.

God came to Isaiah and gave him a picture of what was to come. He saw the “mountain of the Lord’s temple.” He saw God settling disputes between people so they would stop fighting. He saw a picture of peace for him, for his people, and for us too.

God’s picture centers around a person—a Messiah—Jesus. Jesus was born into our world of conflict. He experienced conflict his entire life—conflict between his own Jewish people and the oppressive Romans, conflict among the people he discipled, and even conflict from his own family.

Thankfully Jesus came not just to live in conflict, but to put an end to conflict. He knew the source of all conflict—sin—sin that started thousands of years before his birth when our first parents fell to the temptations of the devil. Sadly, you and I inherited that sin, and it infects the core of our being. It finds its way into every aspect of our lives, creating conflict at every turn. Every day.

Are you tired of living in conflict? Then listen to this: Jesus came on a mission to end conflict—to bring forgiveness for your sins and my sins and for all sins. Through his perfect life, innocent death on a cross, and resurrection from the grave, he completed his mission and brought peace between us and God, and between us and others.

At Christmas we celebrate the first coming of Jesus. We’ll sing “Silent Night” with the line, “sleep in heavenly peace” because Jesus is the Prince of Peace who comes into our world of conflict. We see the same picture Isaiah saw—a Messiah who will someday come again to bring a final and eternal peace—to put an end to any and every conflict once and for all.

Prayer: Prince of Peace, thank you for coming into our world of conflict and bringing everlasting peace. This Christmas season may your peace reign in our hearts and flow over into the lives of others. Amen.

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One truth shared: Jesus will come back in justice to judge the living and the dead.

All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

A Day of Terror for All Those Who Troubled God’s People
There hasn’t been a day like it for more than two decades. On this one specific day, nearly every single American had their eyes glued to the television watching news coverage of one specific event—the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It was an awful and tragic day as many were left reeling in fear, anger, and frustration. Questions flooded the minds of many, including Christians. “Why God? Why would you let this happen? When are you going to do something about it?”

It’s deeply saddening, and yes even maddening, to see the evil and wickedness around us in the world. Teens today weren’t alive yet when 9/11 happened, but surely you have seen and heard many details about that day. But though you might not have been born yet, there have definitely been plenty of tragedies since. School shootings, racial injustice, and too many more everyday evils seen on the news and online video clips.

As if the evil around us isn’t enough pressure to face, there is also the constant squeeze that the unbelieving world puts on Christians. They laugh at our faith. They scoff our beliefs. They poke fun, call names, accuse, and sometimes blatantly hate us.

Living with all these things, perhaps you have had questions enter your mind like, “Why God? Why would you let this happen? When are you going to do something about it?”

The words of the apostle Paul from 2 Thessalonians 1 bring us unique comfort. We certainly try to love and forgive our enemies as Jesus did and taught us. We want them to know Christ, and just as our God, we want “all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). However, we also know the harsh reality that far too many live as enemies of Christ and us, his people. So Paul comforts us and encourages us to be patient. Here’s why: There will be a day when Jesus brings justice and vengeance on all our (and thus his) enemies.

Perhaps too often we simply think of Jesus as our BFF, a nice guy who loves us and will help us. While Jesus certainly is loving, caring, and compassionate, we sometimes may forget that Jesus is also the mighty Alpha and Omega, the King of kings and Lord of lords who will come back in blazing fire and glory to judge the living and the dead.

When you see evil in this world, when you face pressure and persecution, first pray for those people who don’t yet know Christ. But then, take heart! Jesus will bring those enemies to justice, and he will bring you safely to your heavenly home!

Prayer: Jesus, King of glory, in your grace you redeemed me from my greatest enemies—sin, death, and the devil. Now come back in your glory and justice to deliver me from the evil of this world. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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