31ST DECEMBER
2 Timothy 2:21
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
Seek the Kingdom of God and live righteously!
Have you ever tried working with an old oily rag? It leaves a dark smear of residue on everything it touches. On the other hand, a clean cloth can soak up a spill, clean down benches, remove grit and grime from the most intricate parts. A clean cloth can even be used to protect sensitive items from contamination. A clean cloth is a simple but essential part of a workman’s tool bag.
Would you say your life is like an old oily rag? Do you delight in talking to people about other people that really bug you? Do you find yourself in conflict all the time? Do you chase after the desires of the flesh and have a thirst for more? Or on the other hand, is your life like a clean cloth, pursuing righteousness, faith and love? Are you a peacemaker, treating everyone with gentleness and respect?
God wants you to realise today that it’s when you’re pursuing his righteousness that you are ready for every good work and able to be used by God to help clean up the mess of sin in the world.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
In what areas of your life are you allowing yourself to be contaminated this year? What action do you need to take next year to be a vessel for honourable use?
2 Timothy 2:8-9
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!”
You can live with a ministry mindset no matter how bad your circumstances are!
As the apostle Paul wrote this letter to Timothy he was undergoing great suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. Think about that for a minute. Here is Paul—a committed servant of Christ—captured by the authorities, mistreated like a criminal, imprisoned and shackled with chains, suffering physical and emotional torment day and night, because he chose to be obedient to his call as an apostle of Christ Jesus.
But even in circumstances like these, Paul had an other-focused ministry mindset. He understood that while he was physically bound with chains that prevented him from publicly preaching God’s word—still, the word of God is not bound. He wasted no time on wallowing in his suffering. He chose to use his suffering as a megaphone to continue proclaiming the good news of his Saviour and Lord. With his mind set on God’s agenda he did what he could do—encourage Timothy to remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead—writing letters to the church and teaching the saints from his prison cell.
Remember that God knows what circumstance you are facing. Remember to be his witness to others in that circumstance. Whether you are healthy, sick or in chains, God wants to use you as a witness in the very situation you are facing right now.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
Have you been focusing on your circumstance or on the opportunities God is giving you to spread his word? In what ways can God use you to share the good news of your risen Lord Jesus in today’s circumstances?
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
“Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
Always be conscious of how your lifestyle impacts your witness!
Several months ago we had new neighbours move in next door. We had met them a few times and even said ‘hello’ over the fence before our first conversation one day.
One afternoon I got home at the same time as my neighbour and we got talking in the front yard. In conversation, they asked me “Are you guys Christians”? I responded, “Yes we are, what makes you ask that?” To my surprise, they said “You guys are different to our last neighbours, you’re good neighbours, your kids behave themselves and your yard is always tidy.” I was astounded at the comment.
I can assure you their remarks make us sound better than we really are but that conversation has impacted my life.
Today, God wants you to realise how powerfully your lifestyle impacts your witness. In a world that is so disposable, when you live quietly as a good steward of your house and property, outsiders notice. In a world where people neglect each other and are irresponsible, when you mind your own affairs as a family and as parents, outsiders see a difference. In a world that is out to get as much as it can for itself, when you work with your hands and provide for others rather than being dependent on others, outsiders take note.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
What observations do you think your neighbours, your work mates, your friends and family make of the way you live? Does this verse characterise you? What actions do you need to take?
1 Timothy 2:3-6
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”
Do you find yourself complaining about your noisy neighbour? Do you have a tendency to grumble about the government or are you fed up with those annoying people in your life? Having this attitude seems to come easily sometimes. Maybe you’re not a complainer, but when was the last time you prayed for your neighbour? When did you last intercede for the annoying people in your life or call on God for your country’s leaders?
The apostle Paul urges Timothy to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings… for all people because this is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour.
God wants you to realise today that he gave himself as a ransom for all. He gave himself for your neighbour, that annoying person in your life, and he gave himself for the leaders of your country. He’s now calling you to give yourself so they can come to the knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
What are the people, organisations or circumstances in your life that you find yourself complaining and grumbling about. Now thank God for them and begin today to intercede for them before God.
Titus 3:4-7
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
There are two ways that most people view their lives.
Some look at the way they live and feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence that they are living a good life. They have a sense of security, trusting in their good works as a means by which they are saved.
This passage reminds us that it is “not because of works done by us in righteousness” that we are saved. Others reflect on their lives and live with a sense of guilt and shame over things they have done in the past and doubt that they are ever worthy enough for God. This passage reminds us that it is through Jesus Christ alone that we have been washed clean, given his Spirit and are now his children, heirs of eternal life.
Today you need to realise that there is no amount of good you can do to earn your salvation. Jesus has paid your debt in full by dying on the cross. Likewise, nothing you have ever done can keep you from God’s love.
God wants you to remember his kindness and mercy towards you. God wants you to realise he has sent you into people’s lives that need to know this simple truth and that they, too, can only be saved when they place their trust in Jesus.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
Find three passages in the Bible where God’s kindness and mercy are described. Meditate on them today.
1 Timothy 6:1
“Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be spoken against.”
Be conscious of how your lifestyle impacts your witness
I once asked a Christian businessman how he was going. He explained that business was going well and he saw real progress taking place. He acknowledged that the business was starting to reap the reward of some hard work put in by his employees. I responded that this must make him proud of his team. His response to my comment impacted me greatly.
He went on to explain that he has both Christian and non-Christian workers and that his best workers are predominantly the non-Christians. In general, it was the non-Christians who worked more diligently, complained less about working conditions and generally took up the slack. It was some of the Christians that brought him the greatest stress and allowed issues outside work to interfere with their production. While this impacted his business, his main concern was their witness in the workplace.
This businessman experienced first-hand how a Christian’s lifestyle impacts their witness. In conversation, he recommended one of his staff to try a local church. In response, this staff member declined because of the lifestyle of another staff member.
Today God wants you to realised how much your lifestyle as a Christian impacts, both positively and negatively, those you work with, live next door to and interact with. The world is watching to see if your faith in Jesus truly makes a difference in your life.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
Where do you rely on others for what you should take responsibility for? What action can you take today to mind your own affairs? Consider sharing them with someone who can keep you accountable.
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Take a moment and celebrate!
Celebrate the Father’s sacrificial love, which enabled him to send his one and only son to earth to die for you, so that you can be saved. Celebrate Jesus’ arrival on earth, which displayed so much humility and fulfilled so many Old Testament prophecies. Celebrate his life which was an example of what it means to love the Father, spend time with the Father, listen to the Father, and do what the Father asks even when the costs seem too high. Celebrate his death, which showed selflessness and unthinkable love and grace in the face of oppression and pain. Celebrate his resurrection, which displayed victory over the curse of sin and the sting of death. Celebrate the Holy Spirit and the guidance and comfort he offers you every day.
Celebrate the identity you have in Christ—a child of God, no longer a slave to fear but more than a conqueror through the power that lives in you.
Celebrate acceptance, love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, adoption, restoration, freedom, new calling, purpose, power, peace, joy, a new family, and the list can go on and on.
Luke 12:48 says that “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” This Christmas remember how much was given to you and make sure you don’t forget to give what you have been given: love, grace, and acceptance.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Will you be spending today with difficult friends or family members? How can you show them love, grace, and acceptance this Christmas?
Luke 1:13
“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”
Our God is a miracle worker!
Why is Christmas such a magical time of year? I think it’s because everyone is expecting a miracle at Christmas. Think about all the Christmas movies. Each one has a miracle as its central plot. Whether it’s a boy hoping his parents get back together, a shop-owner hoping he can keep his business running, or a town who needs a new hero to help “save Christmas”.
You might be reading this and hoping for your own miracle this Christmas. It may be a miracle in a relationship, or in your business, or in your finances. It may be smaller than what makes a holiday movie. But it’s no less important to you.
Two thousand years ago, there was a couple who hoped for their own miracle. Zacharias and Elizabeth prayed for a child. Year after year that prayer went unfulfilled … so they gave up on the dream.
But this couple didn’t give up on God. They stayed faithful. Then, one ordinary day the extraordinary happened. An angel of God appeared to Zacharias and told him that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son after all. He would have a special purpose and would prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus.
The story of Zacharias tells us that there is nothing too hard for God and that God is still in the business of doing miracles. He loves cries for help!
MAKE IT PERSONAL
What miracle do you need from God this Christmas? How does the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth encourage you to keep believing that God is a miracle worker?
Matthew 2:11
“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Don’t let Christmas go by without giving God a gift, which he desires!
Imagine I planned a party for you and invited many people. Everyone brought lots of gifts, and the invitees traded presents with one another—and you got nothing. No one came to you to say ‘Happy Birthday!’, no one seemed to be in the least interested to celebrate you.
That’s Christmas. We give gifts to everyone but Jesus. We give our attention to our family and friends but not to Jesus. But let’s be honest—what do you give the God who has everything?
Actually, Jesus doesn’t have everything. There are things he doesn’t have unless you give them to him this Christmas. Give him your trust. Jesus doesn’t have your trust unless you give it to him. He will never force it. Give Jesus your heart. Your heart is important to Jesus because he said that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). Bring other people to Jesus. God wants a family more than anything this Christmas. Invite someone to start a relationship with Jesus this Christmas. Tell someone about what Jesus has done in your life.
Don’t let Christmas go by without celebrating the one worthy of our praise and celebration. Don’t let this day go by without giving God a gift which he desires.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
What do you need to give Jesus this Christmas?
John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Plant a seed of good news this Christmas!
If you are having people over this Christmas you should stock up on candy canes. They might come in handy if you want to share the Gospel in a way that relates to the festive season and is easy to understand. Children especially will love it.
Tradition tells us that the candy cane’s shape as a “J” should remind us of Jesus and when flipped around remind us of a shepherd’s staff and how Jesus is our shepherd and we are his sheep. The white colour of the candy cane stands for purity. The large red stripe reminds us of his blood which he shed for our sins to make us pure before God while the 3 small stripes represent the trinity. Talk about a great way to get to the gospel from something that will most likely be a decoration in your house!
People love presents and stories at Christmas. So why not share the story of how Jesus loves us and give your guests a present at the same time. Share the candy cane story with the kids and the parents will get it too. Who knows? A candy cane might be all that someone needs this Christmas!
MAKE IT PERSONAL
What do you think of this idea? Do you think it’s a bit too cheesy for you or do you think that it might actually work? Will you buy some candy cane for a work party? Or family get together? Will you share the story with them?