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Devotions

A Glorious Christmas Reminder!

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

The manger in Bethlehem speaks directly to the resurrection of Christ! He was fully human at birth — Mary’s blood nourished him in the womb — but his birth was a breaking forth of the eternal. We read: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).  The light referred to here was eternal life — resurrection from death.

Hosea prophesied the coming Messiah: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction!” (Hosea 13:14). When Jesus came into the world, he fulfilled this prophecy, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

Jesus asks, “Do you know why I am here? Do you know why I was born into poverty, the shepherds adored me, the wise men brought gifts, and the angels sang that night? It is so that you can have eternal life.” Yes, Jesus himself connects his birth to the resurrection: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me … And this is the will of Him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:38-40, emphasis added).

Resurrection life is already available to us — in this life. We have this promise: “As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Let’s keep resurrection in mind as we celebrate Christmas this year. Let the image of the manger be a bridge — Christ bridging the abyss between earth and heaven and giving us eternal life with our redeemer. What a glorious Christmas reminder!

“I Want to Know Their God”

Gary Wilkerson

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

When the prophecy of Christ’s birth was fulfilled, King Herod, the ruler of Israel, was threatened, as was everyone in Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1-3). Apparently, they were satisfied with their shallow, dead religion and did not want anyone shaking up the status quo.

The same is true today. The growing animosity toward Christmas evidences itself in many ways: schools no longer hold Christmas pageants; manger scenes are banned in public places; businesses greet clients with “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas,” to name just a few examples. Jesus foretold that as the day of his return draws near “the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12), so this is not a surprise.

 Jesus came into the world to be a light and we must not lose the heart of Jesus by becoming caught up in the culture wars. As the world sinks lower and lower, and the outcries against our Savior become more furious, may our own hearts be ruled by the love of Jesus Christ. And may our witness of mercy and holiness amidst a corrupt generation provoke those in darkness to turn to his great light.

As the purpose of Christmas fills our hearts this season, I pray that many will look at us and say, “I want the joy and peace I see in those people. There must be something to the message they proclaim and exemplify in their lives. I want to know their God.”

Escaping the Grasp of Loneliness

Nicky Cruz

Can a Christian really be lonely? The noted evangelist Billy Graham once said that through his many years of contact with people all over the world, in his opinion, loneliness is the greatest problem facing mankind. Theoretically we never should be lonely because Jesus Christ, the Friend above all friends, said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). He is living within us and we have resources to draw upon that non-Christians know nothing about.

Second, we have a family identity, since we have been “born again” into the family of God and are his children with brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, Christians do struggle with feeling alone. In my own quest to escape loneliness, I have acquired a few important ground rules that I work at continually:

  1. Instead of searching for people whom you can trust, focus entirely on God, who alone is trustworthy. In doing so, you stop expecting more from human beings than they can supply.
  2. Take time daily to be alone with God, regardless of pressures or schedules. Pray about every problem, whether large of small. The Bible says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
  3. Learn to say no. If you have a tendency to be a “workaholic” (meaning that your only pleasure in life is your work), admit it and begin to deal with is. Rid your life of nonessential activities that rob you of time with God, time with family, involvement in church, and necessary recreation.
  4. Instead of constantly dwelling on your own problems, reach out to someone else in simple friendship. You may receive something far greater than what you give.

Even though you may still become lonely, Jesus is the source of all you need.

Nicky Cruz, internationally known evangelist and prolific author, turned to Jesus Christ from a life of violence and crime after meeting David Wilkerson in New York City in 1958. The story of his dramatic conversion was told first in The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson and then later in his own best-selling book Run, Baby, Run.

Resisting Laziness

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

As America sinks deeper into godlessness, more and more of God’s people want to go their own way. Such people do not want to be clothed by Christ in garments of righteousness; they only want to live to themselves, with no obligations or commitments. By their attitudes, they are telling the Lord, “Let me enjoy my association with you just so others will see me as good.”

Churches in America and around the world are filled with millions of people calling themselves Christians who have no intimacy with Jesus. They spend no time in prayer and do not pick up their Bibles to see what he desires of them.

Somehow, these people have attached themselves to Christ’s name wholly on their own. Our Lord will have no part of such an arrangement. Christ clearly warns in Mark: “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning — lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:35-37).

We read the parable of the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish (see Matthew 25:1-13). “While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept” (Matthew 25:5). All the virgins, both foolish and wise, were asleep. How could these wise virgins be slumbering? How could any godly servant, those who have prepared for Jesus’ return for so long, be asleep as the Lord approaches?

Let’s look at a warning by Paul: “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). Paul also warns, “‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:14-16).

If you feel that you have grown lazy in your pursuit of Jesus, determine to seek after him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Begin to pray throughout the day and make Christ the center of your thought life.

A Promise for All Who Are Called

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

God gave the prophet Jeremiah a word to speak to Israel: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words’” (Jeremiah 19:15). Jeremiah’s words so incensed the chief governor of the temple that he was bound and tortured. Yet, in spite of his suffering, Jeremiah never doubted his calling. He knew he had been given a word from God.

God went on to say to Jeremiah, “I planned a ministry for you and you are to build up my church. I want you to plant seeds of my good news, so don’t worry; I’ll give you every word to speak just when you need it. And don’t ever be afraid of men or fear failure. Remember, as long as you live, I am with you. Do not be discouraged but rise up in faith and do as I have commanded you. You have one divine purpose and that is to speak my mind” (see Jeremiah 1:9-17).

Jeremiah tells us, “The Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth’” (1:9). What an incredible moment in this man’s life. How wonderful to know that God has put his hand on you, revealed his thoughts, and anointed you to speak for him. Then God added this word: “Do not be dismayed before their faces, lest I dismay you before them” (1:17).

Beloved, this is God’s message to every Christian who has ever been called by him. He is telling us, “Don’t let anyone break you down! You have no reason to be confused or despairing. I have told you I am with you and there is no reason for burnout, no cause to quit. No matter what hardships you face or how badly people treat you, I have put mighty pillars around you and I am with you to deliver you!”