JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

Thursday, December 26, 2024 - December 26th 2024 Time Well Spent

(Ephesians 6:4) "Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

We've just finished up a day/season of celebration that has done two things.

One, it has put us in touch with a renewed awareness of our God and our Savior Jesus Christ and the "Reason for the Season".
 
2^nd… it has been a time for special attention being paid to our kids and our children.
 
Never is their more attention paid to children then at this time… this season called Christmas.
 
I heard one commentator say… "after all… Christmas is for kids."

Although I don't really completely agree with that statement… it is true that children are given something they all need… and may I say… not just need… but "drastically and imperatively" need… at this time of year.
 
And that is "attention"!

Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - December 25th 2024 He Came Regardless

(John 1:29) "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

It’s true that scholars and historians cannot agree on the correct… or exact date of the birth of Christ… nor are they in agreement that the “Church of the Nativity” is the exact location of His birth.
 
It’s also beyond our human understanding how the Holy Spirit… could cause a virgin girl to conceive a child.
 
All these questions do not negate the fact that “Jesus the Messiah” and “Savior of humanity”… was born into this world long ago… and became the “blessed hope” of humanity (Titus 2:13)
 
But here is “the good news”… You don’t have to know when… where… or how Jesus was born… you just need to know why.
 
(John3:16)  “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son… that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish… but have everlasting life”.
 
Only four things matter:
(1) If Christ had not come… God would be “unknown” to us.
   
The New Living Translation of the bible puts it like this… (John 14:7) “If you had really known me… you would know who my Father is. From now on… you know him and have seen him”! 
 
(2) If Christ had not come… our sins would be un-forgiven and we would be lost in our trespasses and sins.
 
The name Jesus means “Jehovah saves!”
 
John the Baptist called Him “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
 
(Acts 16:31) “And they said… Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ… and thou shall be saved.”
 
(3) If Christ had not come… our prayers would be unanswered.
 
In Bible days… a person needed a priest to petition God on their behalf.
 
But today and ever since the cross… Jesus as been and is our High Priest who “understands our weaknesses… for He faced all of the same testing’s we do… yet He did not sin.
 
As a result we can come boldly to the throne of our gracious God and know that He hears us and answers our prayers.
 
There we will receive His mercy… and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
 
(John 15:7)  "If you abide in me… and My words abide in you… you will ask
what you desire… and it shall be done for you.
 
(4) If Christ had not come as the Babe in the manger… we would have no assurance that He will “come the second time”… and catch us away to heaven to be with Himself. 
 
(John 14:6) “Let not your heart be troubled… you believe in God… believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions… if it were not so… I would have told you. 

Tuesday, December 24, 2024 - December 24th 2024 The True Meaning Of Christmas

(John 3:16-17) "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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world… but to save the world through Him."
 
(Luke 2:10-11) “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold... I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
 
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!…”

The true meaning of Christmas is summed up in the above scripture text this morning!

The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.

The real Christmas story is the story of God becoming a human being in the person of Jesus Christ to be the Savior of humanity from the terrible grip of sin that had separated humanity and God from each other.

Why did God do such a thing?
 
Because He loves us!

Why was Christmas necessary?

Because we needed a Savior!

Why does God love us so much?

Because He is love personified
 
(1st John 4:8) He that loveth not… knoweth not God… for God is love”

Why do we celebrate Christmas each year?

Out of gratitude for what God did for us… we remember His birth by giving each other gifts… worshipping Him… and being especially conscious of the poor and those less fortunate than ourselves..

The true meaning of Christmas is love.

God loved us humanity… His own and provided a way… the only way… for us to spend eternity with Him.

He gave His only Son to take the punishment for our sins.

He paid the price in full… and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love.

"But God demonstrated His own love for us in this… while we were still sinners… Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

The Christmas celebration is the celebration of Gods “unconditional” love for mankind.
 
It was and still is “Good news of great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10-11)
 
Good day!

Monday, December 23, 2024 - December 23rd 2024 All Who Heard Were Amazed

(Luke 2:18) “All who heard it were amazed”.
While listening to a radio talk show this past week… I was intrigued by the dialogue between the host of the show and the person that was being interviewed.

Sunday, December 22, 2024 - December 22nd 2024 Glad Tidings of Great Joy

(Luke 2:10-12 But the angel said to them… “Do not be afraid…  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Most reporters rarely get to report any good news.
 
Their time is spent covering robberies, rapes, murders, wars,
political speeches, and the like.
 
Unfortunately most of the news of our day is depressing and disturbing and when criticized for always reporting bad news… they point out that they do not create the news… they just report it.

If there had been reporters during the ancient days… I am sure that they would have had the same problem… especially during the Roman rule of Israel.
 
During those days… life was an effort in endurance… as the nation of Israel lived in submission to brutal Roman oppression.
 
Good news during that era in history was something that was not forthcoming… and is still at times scarce… even in today’s society.
 
And the problem is that good news is often over looked.
 
The fact that it is good news… may not be clearly evident at the moment and many miss it entirely.

If God had not sent an angel from Heaven to tell about it… the whole world would have missed the best news of the ages.
 
The lowly shepherds guarding their flock in the fields not far from Bethlehem were the first to hear.
 
This in itself was surprising.
 
In looking for someone to share the glad tidings of great joy with… the angel ignored all of the important names of that day… and came instead to a humble people… living under a load of oppression and fear.
 
It was a message that would result in great joy for those who heard it… and for those shepherds on the hillside… it did just that.

Since we are desperately in need of some good news to bring a little joy to our depressed world… let us look again at the message of the angel.
 
“But the angel said to them… do not be afraid! For behold… I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”.
 
What was so good about it?
 
What was there in that message… that could make a man praise God with great and passionate joy?

The first words of the Angels greeting was "fear not".
 
The first word of the angel that announced the coming event to Mary was "fear not" (Luke 1:30).
 
The first word of the angel sent to inform Joseph was "fear not" (Matt. 1:20)
 
The first word of Christmas to the shepherds is "fear not"!

The truth is… that the Israelites of ancient days lived with a fear of the divine and spiritual.
They had been raised with the tales of their for-fathers … who narrated stories of the great God of Israel… and many of those stories were filled with judgment and punishment.
 
Their history was filled with revelations and visitations of the divine presence of God… and many of those visitations and experiences had ended in death and destruction… causing many to be filled with fear when facing or approaching God.
 
Seldom did those stories extol the goodness of God.
 
The Hebrew children of old had lingering in their mind… a vision of Mount Sinai with thunder… fire… lightning… and  foreboding ominous clouds.
 
They knew they had not been able to keep the words brought down from the mountain by Moses on those tablets of stone.
 
They knew that they deserved… and fully expected the judgment of God.

And all of the sudden with out warning… the humble shepherds were jarred from their half sleep… by the appearance of an Angelic group of beings amid a celestial light show blazing in the night sky… with a throng of heavenly beings all about them as far as their eyes could see.
 
Needless to say they were frightened within an inch of life.

But for the first time that they could remember… this Heavenly visitation did not bring a sentence of judgment… or the wrath of God raining down upon them.
 
This visitation by the angels… brought news of great joy that filled them  with relief… for it announced the end of fear.
 
If man will accept the good news of Christmas… he can banish his fears.
 
Christmas does not reveal a God whom came to destroy… but to save.
 
It does not reveal an angry God to flee from… but rather a God of love whom has come to earth to “seek and to save that which is lost”.
 
It does not declare a God who cannot be approached… but One who approaches man to save him… redeem him… and deliver him.
 
A real understanding of what happened that night on the hillside of Bethlehem… will put an end to fear.

The good tidings brought by the angels… is about an “act of God” so
loving… so merciful… so  compassionate… that all man can do is respond in love.
 
Such love will cast out all fear.
 
Consider your fears for a moment.
 
Most of them look rather silly if the God of this universe… the God that we worship… is really like what the angels came to declare.
 
If the God who runs this universe is the God of Christmas… the good news… is that “fear” is dead
 
The Bible declares in (1st John 4:16-18) “And we have known and believed the love that God hath for us. God is love… and He that dwelleth in love… dwelleth in God… and God in him. 
 
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment… because as He is… so are we in this world. 
 
There is no fear in love… but perfect love casteth out fear… because fear hath torment”.
 
The good news of Christmas is “Fear not”.
 
In spite of all of the bad news we have received and experienced this past year… know that God is still in control and that He has a plan for you and I.
 
A plan for good… not for evil.
 
No matter what the reporters or the news channels of today are saying.
 
There is still “Glad Tidings of great Joy” that we need to be careful not to overlook or forget … and Christmas is a reminder of that “Good News”.
 
Good Day!

Saturday, December 21, 2024 - December 21st 2024 Parenthood

(Matthew 19:5)  "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother."
 
One of the great and joyful activities that happen each year at this time… is when families can get together after being apart for a season.
 
One of the most melancholy things that happen at this time of year… is when distance and economy and circumstances hinder the ability to gather as families.
 
Here’s a letter for all parents to read.
 
 “Dear Dad: Thanks for all the times you held me on your lap so I could see the ball game and times you took me to the carnival and bought me hot dogs.
I’ll always remember the day you carried me through the snow because I was so cold.
You’ve been a great dad, and I’ll never forget you.
Suzie and I were talking the other day and wondering how you’re doing.
Since we moved away, we don’t get to see much of you.
But one of these days, we’re going to come and surprise you.
Take care. I love you, your son.”
 
Nice letter, eh?
 
Nice if you’ve prepared yourself for that time when your children no longer need you to be there for them.
 
There comes a time when we all have to let them go… to follow their
dream… pursue their vision… explore their destiny.
 
If you don’t… then you will risk growing bitter and resentful… always blaming them for not caring about you or that you are no longer important to them.
 
God gave you your children on a lease… with an expiration date.
They come through you… but not from you…
 
(Psalm 127:4) “You are the bows from which your children… as living arrows are sent forth”
 
Parenthood isn’t about ownership… it’s about stewardship.
 
Your first assignment is to provide love to make them secure… laws to make them wise… light to walk in… and a lifestyle to follow.
 
Your next assignment is to prepare them to go out into the world… and put into practice the things you’ve taught them.
 
So release them… celebrate the investment you’ve made… pray for them…and ask God… “What’s next?”
 
I spend a few minutes each day praying for my sons… asking God to be generous faithful and mercy full… and give them the tools… wisdom and ability to be them into “men of valor and integrity”… the kind of men that are needed in our world today… so they can make their mark on this world.
 
Though they are piloting their own ships thru life now… they still need mom and dad to pray for them… and hold them up before the Heavenly Father.
 
Not bitter… not resentful… but parents filled with thankfulness!
 
Thankful that God allowed us the opportunity to guide them thus far in this world.
 
It’s the way God planned it.
 
Good Day!

Friday, December 20, 2024 - December 20th 2024 Trust The Right Source

(Daniel 4:25) "The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."
 
Hey! There is no doubt the leaders we have elected in both the Unites States and Canada… now in France and other countries around the world… have disappointed their people big time.
 
Truly they have failed in providing policy and democratic leadership for their individual constituents… and each of our individual countries are struggling... and though it sounds apocalyptic… are facing economic collapse if something or someone doesn’t intervene with some leadership filled with Godly counsel and direction to get us out of this mess we are in.