TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 2:8-14
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. - Luke 2:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
Christian History & Biography reports that tens of thousands of Japanese are coming to Christ through the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. This is primarily thanks to organist and conductor Masaaki Suzuki. When he performs the St. Matthew Passion during Holy Week, the concerts are sold out, and afterwards the stage is crowded with people asking about the messages in Bach's music. The messages are thoroughly biblical, so much so that Bach's work was once called “the fifth Gospel.” In the words of one Japanese musician who converted to Christianity: “When I play a fugue, I can feel Bach talking to God.” Bach, a devout believer, would no doubt rejoice to know that centuries later his music is still spreading the good news of the gospel.

On the night of Jesus' birth, an angel appeared to shepherds. Why shepherds? Perhaps they fit with the humble circumstances of His birth; perhaps God wanted to point back to King David, who began as a shepherd; or perhaps He wanted to point forward, to the arrival of the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God. In any case, the shepherds responded to the angel as others had, with both awe and terror. “Do not be afraid,” the angel told them, then he proclaimed “good news of great joy”—the gospel—“that will be for all the people”—universal in scope. “Today in the town of David”—prophecy fulfillment alert!— “a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”—the Messiah, the Anointed One (vv. 10-12).

Then the skies exploded in praise! The watching hosts of heaven could hold back no longer, appearing suddenly in a blaze of light and belting out, “Gloria in excelsis deo” (Latin), or “Glory to God in the highest” (English).

The shepherds experienced the most terrifying and exhilarating moment of their lives—yet they also heard, “and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (vv. 13-14).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A great way to close your personal devotion time today would be to sing a favorite Christmas hymn such as “Joy to the World.” You might also plan to gather others for a time of singing beloved Christmas songs such as “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and “Silent Night.” You might not be the most accomplished musician, but you can still bless others—perhaps those who are in the hospital or nursing home—with Christmas music. Let your soul “rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation” (Ps. 35:9).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 2:15-20
They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. - Luke 2:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is one of baseball's superstars, a regular All-Star and MVP contender. He's also a Christian who wants his light to shine for Jesus. He points to the sky as he circles the bases after home runs, giving the credit to God. Says Pujols: God is “using me by giving me this platform so I can honor Him and get to know more people and just share the gospel.” Though public speaking makes him nervous, he shares his testimony before large crowds. Fans idolize him, but he responds: “It's not about Albert Pujols, it's about Jesus Christ.”

The shepherds in the Christmas story also understood that their experience was not just for their own spiritual enrichment. Good news should be shared! Following the original “Hallelujah Chorus” by the angels in yesterday's reading, the shepherds did as they were told and went to look for the child (v. 15). With God's help, they found the baby in the manger, just as they'd been told (v. 16).

They no doubt exchanged stories with Mary and Joseph, enhancing their understanding of what it all meant. Then they “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed” (vv. 17-18).

But did these people believe? Did they seek out the child for themselves? Did they want to hear the story firsthand from Mary and Joseph? Did they search the Scriptures for relevant prophecies? We don't know. We're told only that Mary attentively “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart,” again seeing the hand of God in her newborn son's life (v. 19).

In the end, the shepherds did what the angels did—glorify and praise the Lord (v. 20). They had found exactly what God had said they would find. This boosted their faith that the baby was who they had been told—the Savior. He was all they had been promised—peace and joy.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The shepherds knew what to do with good news—they shared it! Our mandate is the same: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Share the gospel with a neighbor, invite someone to an evangelistic event at your church, or pray for an encounter with someone eager to discuss spiritual things. Many people are lonely and seeking for meaning during the Christmas season. Ask God to prepare hearts to be receptive, and then share the true joy and peace found in the person and work of Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 2:1-2
We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. - Matthew 2:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Astronomers as well as theologians have long been fascinated by the star that the Magi followed. If it was an actual scientific event, what could it have been? Historical records and computer simulations have been used to try to help solve this mystery. One suggestion is that the “star” was a time when Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars appeared near one another in the sky, starting about 6 b.c. Another idea is that it was a supernova recorded by Chinese historians in 5 b.c. Law professor Rick Larson believes it was a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in 2 b.c., since in the culture of that day Jupiter represented kingship and Venus represented motherhood or birth.

The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what the star was. Here's what we do know: despite what our Nativity sets show us, the Magi did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth, but sometime later. The Magi were scholars or wise men, perhaps astronomers or astrologists. They came from the east, presumably meaning east of Palestine, so many scholars guess that the Magi came from Persia or southern Arabia. They certainly seemed unfamiliar with the local political context, particularly the infamous brutality of King Herod in response to any perceived challenge to his rule.

Whatever “his star” was, the Magi read an announcement or a story there. They knew a king had been born, and they also knew in what country it happened.

We don't know what prophecies or traditions led them to their interpretations and conclusions, but we do know that nature is a witness to the Creator (Ps. 19:1-6) and that God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11). No matter how it happened, we know that God had led these Magi to testify about the birth of His Son as an integral part in this story.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Though we aren't Magi being physically guided by a star, we can still look at the stars in the sky to marvel at God's magnificent creation and His creative power. If you have a telescope and weather permits, spend time looking at the night sky. As you gaze at the stars, reflect on how God directed the Magi and protected Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. If there's a planetarium nearby, you could visit a star show with a friend and then discuss the way that God used a star as part of the story of the birth of Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 14:1-7
I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. - John 14:3-4
TODAY IN THE WORD
In a small town in Mexico there lived a little girl. She took care of the family's donkey and helped her mother with household tasks. As Christmas approached, everyone was busy preparing for a special Nativity procession and worship service. The little girl was anxious, though, because she didn't have a gift to bring to the church. On the night of the procession, she hid. A mysterious visitor encouraged her not to feel ashamed but to give whatever she had. All she could give was an armful of green weeds, but when she presented her gift, the weeds were transformed into poinsettia flowers! In Spanish, they are called flor de fuego (fire flower) or flor de la Nochebuena (flower of the Holy Night).

This famous legend captures the wonder of Christmas and the importance of humility in responding to the birth of Christ. The Nativity is not simply an event from long ago, but a key part of faith that permeates our everyday Christian lives. As we see in today's reading, for example, the same theme of journey or pilgrimage that infuses the story of the wise men infuses our everyday Christian lives. Christ was the trailblazer for our pilgrimages!

When He told His disciples He was going ahead to prepare a place for them (vv. 1-2), it was intended to comfort them. They were all eating the Last Supper; He had just unsettlingly predicted Peter's denials. Very troubling things were about to happen, but He wanted their hearts to be at peace.

To help them, Jesus gave them a simple timeline within which we are still living (vv. 3-4): He would go, then return and take believers to be with Him. “You know the way,” He told His disciples. Thomas asked for clarification, and Jesus explained that He Himself is the way as well as the destination (v. 6). The purpose of the journey is to be where He is, dwelling with Him (cf. Psalm 84).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Christian theme of pilgrimage is famously captured in the allegory, Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. The tale of Christian's journey to the Celestial City has taught and inspired generations of believers, and the holiday season is a wonderful time to read through this classic tale. Inexpensive paperback editions are readily available, or the book can be checked out from the library. If you don't mind reading on a computer screen, Bunyan's classic can also be read free online at www.ccel.org/ccel/bunyan/pilgrim.html.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 2:3-8, 13-18
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
Last summer, Israeli archaeologist Ehud Netzer of Hebrew University announced that he had found the tomb of Herod the Great at a dig south of Jerusalem. He had been searching for the tomb at the site, which was Herod's summer palace, since 1972. He and his team knew they had found what they were looking for when they unearthed an enormous staircase, built for Herod's funeral procession, and an elaborately decorated limestone sarcophagus. It had been smashed and no bones were found in it. Netzer explained that the palace had been raided by Jewish rebels in a.d. 66-72. The discovery has been hailed as a milestone in biblical and Near Eastern archaeology.

Herod, of course, played an infamous role in the Christmas story. We've seen various responses to the story thus far, including faith, doubt, amazement, praise, confusion, reflection, and rejoicing. But today we see a different type of response altogether, what might be called “hostile belief.” Herod, who reigned during the years 37-4 b.c., responded to the Magi's news as if it were true and a threat to his political power (v. 3). A “king” had been born? Herod cared nothing for stars and saviors—he saw only the threat of competition. This viewpoint is the Incarnation as seen through the eyes of worldly power.

The king called together Jewish religious scholars and asked where such a king would be born. They knew the Scriptures and gave him the correct answer: Bethlehem (vv. 4-6; Micah 5:2). Sadly, it seems they did nothing while Herod acted in “hostile belief.” He lied to the wise men, making sure to meet with them secretly not only so that people wouldn't know he was taking this seriously but also to lessen the risk that someone might enlighten the visitors about his ruthless reputation. As a backup plan, he found out the exact time of the birth, which eventually led to the “slaughter of the innocents” and the flight of Jesus' family to Egypt (vv. 13-18).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we see throughout the Christmas story, but especially in the Gospel of Matthew, the birth of Christ fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies. If you have time for deeper or more extensive study, this is a good topic. How many prophecies does the New Testament identify as being fulfilled in the birth of Christ? In what ways were they fulfilled? How do the fulfillments compare to the original contexts of the prophecies? Can you identify any running themes? What do these fulfilled prophecies mean to you today?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 2:9-12
They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. - Matthew 2:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
El Día de los Reyes, known in English as Three Kings Day or Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6 by many Christians in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Europe. You have no doubt heard of the “twelve days of Christmas”—the counting starts with Christmas Day and ends at Three Kings Day. In Hispanic cultures, it is traditionally Three Kings Day, not Christmas Day, when gifts are given and received. The night before, children put out a box representing the manger in which the newborn Jesus was laid, or perhaps their shoes (similar to the custom of hanging stockings). They might also put out some grass or hay for the wise men's camels. Traditionally, each child receives three gifts, in keeping with the three gifts presented by the Magi.

What a rich tradition for remembering this part of the Christmas story! In today's reading, the quest of the wise men was fulfilled. Following their stop in Jerusalem, and months after Jesus' birth, they followed the star and came at last to the home where Jesus' family was staying in Bethlehem. There they did as they had intended all along, worshiping the child and presenting Him with gifts (v. 11). They acted on the integrity of their original purpose, which remained unchanged by circumstances. They had caused an uproar in Jerusalem, held a secret conference with the king, learned the birthplace from Scripture, and had been taken aback by the response from others—but none of those events altered the faith of their journey, the commitment of their pilgrimage.

They gave three kinds of gifts, leading to the “three wise men” of tradition (but in fact, the number of wise men is unknown). Their gifts were quite valuable—gold, frankincense (fragrant incense that honored royalty), and myrrh (cosmetic and medicinal purposes). Then, they received a warning in a dream that probably confirmed their own instincts regarding Herod, the Magi returned home by another route. God kept them from participating in the king's evil plan.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Following the example of the Magi (v. 11), tonight is the perfect time for family worship, perhaps leading into or following your church's Christmas Eve service. Choose songs and Scripture texts to tell the story—children might enjoy doing it as a drama. The prayer time should include specific praise for the person of Christ. If your family exchanges gifts on Christmas Eve, perhaps you could focus on the story of the Magi in particular, noting how God directed them, and their response to Jesus of generosity and praise.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 2:21-35
For my eyes have seen your salvation . . . a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. - Luke 2:30, 32
TODAY IN THE WORD
Earlier this summer and fall, many economic experts and CEOs professed complete surprise at the subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent crisis in the credit markets. One economist, however, saw his predictions vindicated. Known as “Dr. Doom,” Nouriel Roubini had for several years warned of a wave of foreclosures and bank collapses. After receiving scorn from fellow economists and having his proposals ignored, Roubini suddenly found himself in demand by officials around the world who wanted his advice. The facts and events validated his forecasts.

Many people were caught off guard by the coming of Jesus, including the scribes, the priests, and King Herod. But it's encouraging to find that the original Christmas did not come as a surprise to everyone! Some people understood God's promises and were waiting faithfully for the day of fulfillment to come. Simeon was one of them: a “righteous and devout” man who had long been waiting for the “consolation of Israel,” that is, the Messiah (v. 25), and had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would live long enough to see his heart's desire (v. 26). He had not only a general trust in God's promises, but also a sensitivity to the Spirit's leading at specific times to specific places, as in this instance (v. 27).

Purification (v. 22), which the Law commanded for firstborns, took place 40 days after the birth and symbolized a commitment of a child to the lifelong service of the Lord. The fact that Mary and Joseph brought a pair of doves or pigeons indicated their relative poverty. Simeon's words of praise (vv. 29-32), called the Nunc Dimittis (from the Latin translation of the opening words), focused on the theme of God's salvation of both Jews and Gentiles and echoed the language of Isaiah. He also, however, warned Mary that her son would walk a rocky road on the way to accomplishing God's purposes and that she herself would suffer along the way (vv. 34-35).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Rejoice, the King has come! This day is not about the gifts or the food or even the loved ones. It's about Christ, and the tremendous, incomprehensible, loving fact that God became a man. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus on this day, let us also be like Simeon and look forward to His coming again. The King will return: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (Rev. 19:7).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 2:36-40
She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. - Luke 2:38
TODAY IN THE WORD
A traditional Christmas legend recounts that when Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were fleeing to Egypt, they were concealed from Herod's soldiers by holly, which miraculously grew leaves out of season in order to hide the family. Since that day, holly has been an evergreen and part of Christmas celebrations in many cultures. We sing “Deck the halls with boughs of holly” and decorate our doors with wreaths of holly. Some people also believe that its sharply pointed leaves represent Christ's crown of thorns and its red berries His blood. In classical paintings, holly is a symbol of His Passion.

As a prophetess, Anna saw the shadow of the cross looming over the story of the baby that Simeon held in his arms. Simeon had just warned Mary that Jesus would be a sign some people would reject and that “the thoughts of many hearts [would] be revealed” (v. 35), meaning that both faithful and sinful attitudes would be brought to light by people's responses to the person of Christ. Suddenly Anna appeared at Simeon's elbow.

Who was Anna? Her role was much the same as Simeon's. She was an elderly believer who had centered her life around worship and the promises of God. She was known as a righteous woman and a prophetess (v. 37). There is no mention that she had received a specific promise as Simeon had, but her appearance at that exact moment was no accident. The Spirit had led her there and empowered her to recognize baby Jesus and prophesy concerning Him. Her words served as an additional confirmation and witness to “all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (v. 38).

After this divine appointment, Mary and Joseph finally returned home to Nazareth, following their postnatal stay in Bethlehem (v. 39). They had much to reflect on! In the meantime, their little boy grew in wisdom and grace (v. 40).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What do you desire for your children, or for the children whom God has placed in your life? What are your goals and dreams for them? Sometimes we get too caught up in temporal pursuits such as school or sports or music lessons. Verse 40 provides some needed perspective, reminding us that Jesus grew both physically and spiritually (cf. Luke 2:52). Use this verse in your prayer to the Lord today, submitting to Him all the goals, plans, hopes, and dreams that you have for your children.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 3:2-11
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 3:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
More than 5,000 people have left their homes and moved to a remote Siberian forest to join a cult called the Church of the Last Testament. It is led by a man named Sergei Torop, who now calls himself “Vissarion,” meaning “he who gives new life.” A former traffic policeman, he started the cult in 1991 as the former Soviet Union was breaking apart. His followers study his ten books of teachings and pray to him five times a day. He's introduced 60 commandments and a new calendar starting with the year of his birth. In addition, he's abolished Christmas and replaced it with a holiday on his own birthday.

Vissarion is telling lies and his followers are deceived. Jesus Christ is the true Lord of Christmas! His Incarnation revealed the mystery and wonder of God's plan of redemption, as Paul explained in today's reading. “Mystery” (v. 3) is a term used by Paul in a number of his epistles. It does not mean “mystery” in the sense of Sherlock Holmes following clues, but rather indicates spiritual hiddenness—events and truths not fully revealed by God until the right time. All along God had promised redemption, but until the first Christmas we didn't understand that the prophesied Redeemer would be God Himself. We didn't see that the love of God would involve the death and resurrection of His own Son. We didn't grasp that Jews and Gentiles would be “members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus” (v. 6).

Paul learned the meaning of this “mystery” in the same way as Simeon and Anna—by divine revelation. His knowledge came not only with apostolic authority but also with a responsibility to spread the good news and proclaim God's grace (vv. 8-9). The gospel message is more than words, though, it is also the church herself (v. 10). All of this is another way to define the mysterious imprint of Christmas on our hearts and souls.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you've been a Christian for any length of time, the Christmas story is familiar territory—a common topic for sermons, books, and devotional guides such as this one. So it's worth asking, what have you learned or experienced about Christmas this month that was new to you? What fresh insights did the Holy Spirit bring home to you? As you ponder the mystery of Christmas that has been revealed, pray for renewed passion for Christ and His church in the coming year.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 1:1-14
In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things. - Hebrews 1:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Leo the Great, in an ancient sermon entitled, “On the Feast of the Nativity,” explained the Incarnation in these words: “Without detriment therefore to the properties of either substance which then came together in one person, majesty took on humility, strength weakness, eternity mortality: and for the paying off of the debt, belonging to our condition, inviolable nature was united with possible nature, and true God and true man were combined to form one Lord, so that, as suited the needs of our case, one and the same Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, could both die with the one and rise again with the other.”

As the writer of Hebrews proclaimed in today's reading, Jesus Christ was and is fully human and fully divine. His Incarnation made possible the fulfillment of God's promises of redemption. In the opening verses, we see the basic contrast of b.c. and a.d.: In the past, God spoke through prophets, but now the “final Word” and best revelation has come in the person of His Son (vv. 1-2). The Son is not some new being but is in fact God Himself, “the exact representation of his being” (v. 3). He did the work of creation and continues to sustain the natural world (vv. 2-3a). He accomplished God's plan of salvation (v. 3b).

Numerous Old Testament references make it impossible to see Him as anything less than God. Only God receives worship as the Son does (v. 6). Only God is eternal. Only God created (vv. 10-12). The Father-Son relationship is qualitatively different from the God-angels relationship; for example, no angel has ever been invited to rule at His right hand (vv. 5, 7-9, 13-14).

The idea that God had a “Son” was a new one for the Jews. Even today, many people struggle to accept the idea that one God could be in three Persons. Though we will never fully comprehend the wonder of the Incarnation and the Trinity while on this earth, we continue to affirm that Jesus Christ is fully man and fully God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's Bible passage, and the fact that Christ is fully man and fully God, is both inspiring and challenging. If you desire a deeper understanding of this key truth, you might seek an in-depth study of the book of Hebrews. One of the writer's main purposes was to help us grasp the connections and interrelationships between the Old and New Testaments, and how Christ is God's best and most complete revelation of Himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 1:1-14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. - John 1:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Some people love words—meanings, cultural background, and etymologies. They find great delight browsing a dictionary, and the gold standard is the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which has twenty volumes! As one writer said, “Listen: the OED is priceless. The only disadvantage it's got is that the entries are so interesting and chocked full with subsidiary info that sometimes what was originally supposed to be a quick one-word dash to the dictionary becomes a two-hour perusal of cross-references and ramifications and etymologies and sorts of illustrative sentences that make your saliva flow with sheer interest.”

Today's reading gives us the Word to end all words! The Christmas story began not one night in Bethlehem, nor even from the promises and covenants of old, but from eternity past. “In the beginning was the Word,” meaning Christ. Christ is God, coexistent and coeternal with Him (vv. 1-2). He is the Creator and the source of all life (vv. 3-4). He would be met by incomprehension and hard hearts, though it seems stunning that creatures would not recognize their Maker (vv. 5, 10-11; cf. Isa. 29:16).

John the Baptist prepared the way for the Word (vv. 6-7). Commissioned by God as a witness to the light, his main purpose was to prepare hearts to believe the message Jesus brought and lived. These verses are careful to make clear that John was not the fulfillment of messianic promises, but simply a prophet of the Word and the forerunner to the Messiah (vv. 8-9).

This passage summarizes Christ's mission and purpose with clarity and simplicity: He came so that through faith people might become children of God (vv. 12-13). He came to heal the break between man and God, so that those given eyes to see would recognize and receive Him. How did He do this? “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (v. 14). He became human, lived a human life, died a human death. In the Incarnation, we see the glory of God!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
These powerful opening verses from the Gospel of John give new meaning to this exhortation to believers: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Col. 3:16). One way to do this is through memorizing the Word. Even if you struggle with Scripture memorization, this discipline will allow it to soak into your soul and spirit. You could memorize the passage for today, or focus on verse 14. Throughout the rest of this Christmas season, let this Word dwell in you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:24-29
The glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. - Colossians 1:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1873, a teacher from Virginia named Lottie Moon answered God's call and became a Southern Baptist missionary in northern China. Missionaries on the field had found that only women could reach Chinese women, and more workers were desperately needed. From China, she wrote articles for missions journals that inspired women back home to get involved. The first Christmas offering, taken in 1888, paid for three new female missionaries to be sent to China. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has been taken annually since then, over the years raising a total of $1.5 billion for world missions.

The central meaning of Christmas in our daily lives can be summarized thus: Living with Christ in us and proclaiming Christ to others. We've come full circle to the completion of the passage with which we started this month (see Dec. 1). Christ in us means the Christmas story is ongoing. The Incarnation, the mystery (vv. 26-27), the eternal plan, the loving purpose—all of it is within us, for Christ lives in our hearts today. The reasons for which He came, died, and rose again are being fulfilled in and through us.

Christ's sacrifice was perfect and once-for-all, but its redemptive implications are still being worked out in history. We are still “work in peogress,” in Paul's words “still lacking” (v. 24). The story of salvation remains in progress in the body of Christ, the church.

Paul served the church by serving the gospel and presenting “the word of God in its fullness” (v. 25). As we know from yesterday's reading, the Word is God in His fullness. So it makes sense the Word is both who Paul served and what he proclaimed. The goal of his ministry was to sanctify believers and to help them mature (v. 28). This was the life-purpose that filled him, to which he devoted all his strength—or rather, all God's strength. The phrase “struggling with all his energy” reflects both human effort and divine resources (v. 29).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's Scripture reading is an eloquent statement by the apostle Paul of the priorities and passions that consumed his life. What about you? What priorities and passions consume your life? If you were to write a “personal paraphrase” of verses 28-29, what might it say? The new year is nearly here; spend time in prayer today that the Holy Spirit would help you order your passions and priorities to glorify God in 2009. You might want to use a spiritual journal as you pray and work through this process in the coming days.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 3:1-21
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent Pew survey concluded that while “a majority of Americans say religion is very important to them, nearly three-quarters of them say they believe that many faiths besides their own can lead to salvation.” Sadly, this included a majority of self-professed Christians, including evangelicals, of whom 57 percent agreed that “many religions can lead to eternal life.” Mainstream news reports hailed the trend toward “tolerance,” though some commentators noted this means many Americans hold beliefs directly contradicting the creeds of the religions they say they follow. As unpopular as it is in today's culture, true followers of Jesus Christ continue to assert that the Savior is the one and only way to God (John 14:6).

In today's reading, Nicodemus was “everyman” in the sense that he represented everyone who searches for and wrestles with spiritual truth—and in the sense that he didn't really understand it when he found it. Jesus explained it in terms of birth and rebirth: just as we are born physically, so we need to be reborn spiritually (vv. 5-6; cf. 1 John 4:7). The same Spirit who conceived life within a virgin womb conceives new spiritual life in us. The effects of His Person and power can be seen and felt, but not predicted or controlled by human beings (v. .

The midwife, so to speak, of spiritual rebirth is Jesus (vv. 13-15). He came from heaven, a fact that testifies to the truthfulness of His words to Nicodemus. So that the clueless religious leader wasn't completely confused, Christ anchored His claims in a familiar historical event from the Pentateuch, interpreting it as a sign of His coming crucifixion. Then Jesus made it as plain as He could: belief in Him brings eternal life. Salvation comes through the Son alone and is made possible by the love of God (vv. 16-18). This is the essential meaning of Christmas, the birth that gave birth to rebirth!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
At the heart of the Christmas story is the good news of the gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son . . .” (v. 16). If you have never believed in Him, we invite you to do so now. Don't let this year end without choosing life! Tell God that you're a sinner and spiritually dead, but you believe Jesus rescued you from sin and you trust Him for salvation. To learn more about the life-changing, life-giving news of the gospel, you can call gotcha13-NEED HIM and talk to a person on the other end of the line.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 78:1-53
We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. - Psalm 78:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Part of the bedtime ritual for many children is reading stories with their parents. Everyone loves a good story, parents and children alike; we love stories for their adventure, their themes of friendship, and the truths they teach us about ourselves and about life.

Telling stories is a powerful teaching tool. The Bible itself is full of good stories. Jesus taught using stories called parables. And this month, in our study of the book of Exodus, we'll read the true story of God's dramatic rescue of the Israelites from Egypt, a story that is key to the entire narrative of Scripture (see “Theology Matters”). It was to this story that the prophets and psalmists returned again and again to remind later generations of Israelites of the character of God and their identity as His people. One such example is Psalm 78.

In Psalm 78, we hear all that God did on behalf of His people when they were enslaved in Egypt. The psalmist catalogs “the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord” (v. 4). God delivered them by parting the Red Sea. When they were thirsty, He provided water from a rock, and when they were hungry, bread from heaven. He shepherded them to the land He had promised. He was their constant source of protection and provision.

Sadly, the people who saw firsthand these miracles of the Exodus did not believe. Despite all that God had done to prove His power and love, they were unfaithful and disloyal. They had every reason to trust God and didn't.

Rather than blame the Israelites for their failures, we might benefit most from finding ourselves in their story. In fact, that's what the New Testament writers said we should do (cf. 1 Cor. 10). Their story teaches us about God, ourselves, and the nature of faith. God is always active in our circumstances. He's eager for us to know Him. And He is longsuffering when it comes to our failures.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Psalm 78 identifies some questions we will want answered in our study this month of the book of Exodus. What were the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord? What were the reasons behind the Israelites' chronic lack of faith? How did God respond to the failures of the Israelites? In addition to these questions, we can ask ourselves some probing personal questions: What are the wonders God has done in my own life? Why is it that I fail to trust God despite evidence of His goodness and power?

[Soldier4Christ]

Friday, January 2, 2009
Read: Exodus 1:1-22
The righteous will live by his faith. - Habakkuk 2:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Members of presidential administrations often publish “kiss-and-tell” books soon after they leave government. These memoirs typically present the author in a flattering light while reporting their angle on the “truth.” Some authors criticize the President under whom they served, including David Stockman (budget director for Ronald Reagan), George Stephanopoulos (advisor to Bill Clinton), and Scott McClellan (press secretary for George W. Bush).

What's the real story, we ask? We ask it when we study history or read today's paper, and we have to ask it along our faith journey. Sometimes the struggles of our lives seem to be telling a story from which God feels absent. We lose faith and hope, wondering, “Where is God?” Are we to believe that God has abandoned us when life gets hard?

The Israelites must have been asking that same question as they lived through what is described in Exodus 1:11-22. Their oppression was extreme. As slaves, their work was both physically exhausting and utterly meaningless: no compensation and no sense of accomplishment. Their sweat was all for Pharaoh and for the coffers of Egypt. But not only did they lose the dignity of their work, they were losing their lives. Their newborn boys were being murdered ruthlessly, thrown in the river like trash to be disposed. These were dire days for the Israelites.

Yet another story is here to be told. There is hope in the struggle. God is present. Verses 1 through 7 make that clear. These verses provide clear allusions to the promises God had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He had promised to bless them with descendants and land and nationhood. As their numbers multiplied, they could see these promises were being fulfilled. God wasn't as far away as He seemed.

The book of Exodus is a book all about faith. It reminds us that our struggles, our enemies, and our feeling of abandonment are only half the story. It takes faith to see beyond our circumstances and remember the promises of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Faith asks the question, “Can God be trusted?” There is no time more difficult to trust God than in the midst of suffering. We feel abandoned by God. We fear our prayers are futile. We want to give up on God because we feel He's given up on us. Reading the other half of the story, the behind-the-scenes work of God found in the Bible, strengthens our faith in those dark days. To find encouragement in your own difficult times, review Romans 10:17, and commit to reading God's Word to see God work.