.....light

Jesus set the example for ministry by equipping us to serve in His Kingdom. Each of us have been called to minister as we love Him and build up the body of Christ. Our specific roles in ministry may differ, but we have all been called and asked to be a part of His plan; we are all given the charge to tell others of the way to the Father through faith in Jesus. Paul calls this the ministry of reconciliation; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20.

There is more work to be done in the field than we can possibly accomplish - our "job" is never complete. This has the potential for great stress "burnout" if we don't maintain a sense of our true purpose and an understanding of Who is really in charge.

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

A yoke is a dual harness used to attach oxen and plow fields. Jesus said to take up His yoke and join Him in working His field. He is already pulling the load and wants us to attach ourselves to the other harness. As we do, we will discover a well-defined row in bad need of plowing. We will also find a load which is easy to bear.

 Jesus said our main task as we take up His yoke is to "learn from Him." It's as if walking by His side is really enough; as if walking by His side IS our ministry. The field will still get plowed, but in the process we will be blessed with a closer and deeper relationship with the Son of God.

If our burden has become heavy - if we are feeling weary and ready to quit - let's determine if we are properly "hitched" to His yoke and aligned to His row. A heavy burden requires some adjustments - maybe an adjustment in attitude, maybe an adjustment in priority. Let's take up His yoke and remember: His burden is light!

.....name

Jesus came to earth to be our necessary and absolutely sufficient sacrifice for sin. His death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb opened the door of grace for an eternally restored relationship with God for all who believe.

Prior to our salvation, the Holy Spirit draws us near by revealing truth to our heart. We are "born again" John 3:5-7 when we place our trust in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. At the moment of our new birth, we are changed - made a "new creation" 2 Corinthians 5:17 - by the power of the Holy Spirit; we also become "co-heirs with Christ" in God's Eternal Kingdom Romans 8:17.

As we begin our walk with Christ, we soon realize we are not who we once were; "the old has gone, the new has come" 2 Corinthians 5:17. The Spirit of God began a change in our heart that will continue all the rest of our days as we are "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29. Some aspects of this change are immediate as the bondage to sin is broken, but other portions of change will take a lifetime.

God has promised that our transformation will one day be complete; "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" Philippians 1:6. He will continue to shape and mold us - to chip off the rough edges - until we stand before Him and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:21. On that day, God's glory will be fully revealed in us and we will understand our true identity in Him.

To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it Revelation 2:17

God knows exactly who we are; "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind" Jeremiah 17:10. But He also knows exactly who we will become. When we stand before His throne, He will acknowledge our completed transformation by giving us a new name. But as we receive the name, we will also receive full understanding of who we are and how our life has fit into His perfect plan. We will see the purpose of every twist and turn in our path and see what it really means to live in Christ.

Until that day, we must trust Him with all our heart and allow every aspect of our life to bring Him glory and honor. We must seek a consistency with our new identity - with the life God desires us to live. We are not who we once were, nor who we will one day become. Let's live a transformed life with great expectations of the glory to be revealed when we stand in His presence and receive a new name.

- steve troxel 

.....anew

Thomas Edison might be regarded as one of the world's greatest failures. This man tried more than a thousand different light bulbs until he got it right. Have you ever failed at something a thousand times before you got it right? If you had, your name might be right up there with that of Thomas Edison. 

Thomas Edison didn't think of these failed experiments as failures. He regarded them as steps in a long process. But late in his life something happened to him that would have defeated a lesser man. 

Thomas Edison's son Charles, one-time governor of New Jersey, tells the story. On the night of December 9, 1914, Edison Industries was virtually destroyed by fire. Edison lost two million dollars that night and much of his life's work went up in flames. He was insured for only $238,000, because the buildings had been made of concrete, at that time thought to be fireproof. 

Charles was 24; Thomas was 67. The young man ran about frantically, trying to find his father. Finally he came upon him, standing near the fire, his face ruddy in the glow, his white hair blown by the December winds. 

"My heart ached for him," Charles Edison said. "he was 67 - no longer a young man - and everything was going up in flames. He spotted me. 'Charles,' he shouted, 'where's your mother?' 1 don't know, Dad,' I said. 'Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this again as long as she lives.'" 

The next morning, walking about the charred embers of all his hopes and dreams, Thomas Edison said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." 

Three weeks after the fire, his firm delivered the first phonograph. 

But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:13-14 

.....able

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen Jude 24-25 

Able is the Greek word "dunatos", related to "dunamis", meaning ability, abundance, capability, mighty works, miraculous power, prevailing strength. "God is able" means God has the mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength. Romans 16:25 says God is able to establish you. Listen to the richness of the verse when read with its full definition "God has mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength to establish you." 

Bring your inability to the ability of God. As you read these verses drink in the bigness of God as you replace "able" with "has the mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength." 

God is ...

   Able to give much more 2 Chron 25:9

   Able to deliver from the fire Dan 3:17

   Able to raise up children of Abraham from stones Mat 3:9

   Able to give sight to the blind Mat 9:28-29

   Able to perform what He promised Rom 4:21

   Able to make you stand Rom 14:4; Ephesians 6

   Able to establish you Rom 16:25

   Able to make a way through temptation 1 Cor 10:13

   Able to make all grace abound to you 2 Cor 9:8

   Able to do exceedingly beyond all your asking Eph 3:20 

   Able to subdue everything under His control Phil 3:21

   Able to keep all we have committed to Him 2 Tim 1:12

   Able to save from death Heb 5:7

   Able to save completely, to the utmost Heb 7:25

   Able to raise men from the dead Heb 11:19

   Able to keep you from falling and to present you before His presence Jude 24

"To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 25

Be blessed in the name of God who is able

 - david langerfed

.....all

After all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you Matthew 6:32-33

Notice how many times in this passage that Jesus said "All These Things"

England's Queen Elizabeth I once asked a British  to undertake a mission for the crown. "But your Highness," said the man, "such a long absence will be fatal to my business." To which the queen replied: "You take care of my business, and I will take care of yours." When the man returned, he found that the queen's patronage had enlarged his company immeasurably.

Alice Taylor was a missionary to China whose four children were captured by the Japanese and interned in a concentration camp during World War II. Alice suffered galloping anxiety. But she recalled her pastor once putting Matthew 6:33 like this: "If you take care of the things that are dear to God, He will take care of the things that are dear to you."

"If you take care of the things that are dear to God, He will take care of the things that are dear to you." Alice forced herself to focus on the Lords work while trusting Him with her cares. In time her children came home safely to the glory of God.

What's our greatest need today? Whatever it is - financial, relational, physical, or emotional - it's included in that universal "all these things". 

Jesus said, "All these things...

        "All these things..."

        "All these things..."

.....with

Prior to crossing into the promised land, Moses told the people of Israel: "Do not be afraid, for the Lord goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you" Deuteronomy 31:6. This is one of the many promises which remain with us today. As we walk with God into the land of promise - the land of contentment and peace - we must learn to truly apply these promises and consistently live by them. 

He is RIGHT THERE! He wants us to live with the contentment of knowing He is going with us.

Every day we are confronted with things which attempt to pull us away from God and steal our joy. Though He is walking right beside us, and absolutely nothing catches Him by surprise, we seldom even think of Him during our day. This should not be! If we are truly His child, we are being called to trust Him with ALL and allow Him to live in and through us - this is the life Jesus desires for us to live.

We must continually believe the truth of His Word and allow our faith to mature by taking steps which lead us closer to God, even if our steps of faith seem small. With each new step, we will more clearly see the truth of God's promises. We will begin to see past the visible garbage of this world and begin to gaze with wonder on "Him who is invisible" Hebrews 11:27. The life of contentment and peace is the life of total commitment and surrender.

.....endured

As we walk together down God's path, we must assume a certain level of responsibility for one another. We must encourage our Brothers and Sisters when they are down and remind one another that God is near, that our trials will soon fade; "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today!" Hebrews 3:13.

But as we encourage, we must continually direct each other toward Christ and the life He calls us to live. It is never true encouragement to simply lend our agreement and "comfort" to a complaining or selfish attitude. This actually keeps someone down and threatens to pull us down in the process. Forgiveness, and victory, is only found in Jesus Christ.

Jesus endured ridicule and humiliation from His accusers, and overwhelming pain on the cross, simply because He dearly loved us. The joy of seeing our restored relationship with the Father allowed Him to persevere through unbelievable hardship. His sacrifice brought us the gift of Salvation. His perseverance should bring us the gift of strength and a renewed hope.

"Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:3

There are going to be days when the burden seems extra heavy - days when the attacks come fast and furious and feel like they will never end. It may bring temporary relief for someone to sympathize and confirm the difficulty of our situation, but the only way to truly ease the load is to focus our heart back to Christ and pray to receive His strength; "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance" 2 Thessalonians 3:5. We must persevere...because He first persevered for us!

.....inexhaustible

The gospel reveals Jesus Christ as an inexhaustible fountain—ever flowing, never diminished, sufficient for every need of the human soul, this truth becomes deeply personal. Our hope, strength, and standing before God do not arise from within ourselves, but from an endless supply found in Christ alone. Scripture invites us, “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” Isaiah 55:1. The call is not to earn, but to receive.

Righteousness by faith directs the believer away from self and toward Christ as the sole source of life and acceptance. Jesus declared, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst” John 4:14. This promise speaks not only of forgiveness, but of ongoing renewal. The Christian life is sustained by continual dependence on Christ, drawing daily from His grace, mercy, and power.

The apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13. His confidence rested in Christ’s sufficiency, not his own endurance. “The soul that is united with Christ becomes a partaker of the divine nature… drawing constantly from the inexhaustible fountain” Steps to Christ, p. 100. In Christ, there is no scarcity—only abundance.

Too often, we attempt to live the Christian life by relying on past experiences or personal resolve. Yet we are taught  that yesterday’s grace cannot sustain today’s battles. Jesus invites us to come continually, not occasionally. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” John 7:37. Each trial, temptation, and failure becomes an opportunity to drink more deeply from Christ’s fullness.

This inexhaustible fountain also overflows into the lives of others. Jesus promised that those who drink will become channels of blessing: “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” John 7:38. When believers rest in Christ’s righteousness, their lives reflect peace, patience, and love—not as forced behavior, but as the natural overflow of communion with Him. “It is not by our own merits that we are justified, but by faith in Christ; and as we draw near to God, He draws near to us” Faith and Works, p. 107. The more we come, the more we receive.

In Jesus, we never reach the bottom. He is an inexhaustible fountain, freely given, eternally sufficient. To live by faith is to drink daily—and to find that His grace is always enough.

.....unity

Unity in the church is never achieved by human effort alone. It is the fruit of hearts surrendered to Christ and resting in His righteousness. Paul appeals to believers to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” Philippians 2:2. Such unity flows naturally when believers cease striving to establish their own righteousness and instead stand together on the merits of Christ.

Righteousness by faith humbles the soul. When we recognize that we are saved not by works, status, or spiritual achievement, but solely by grace, pride loses its power. Paul reminds us, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded” Romans 3:27. Pride breeds division, but humility nurtures unity. “Nothing so needs reforming as the habits of thought. The spirit of Christ must be cherished” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 236. When Christ’s spirit governs the heart, believers learn to value others above themselves.

Unity also rests on a shared dependence on Christ. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one “that the world may believe” John 17:21. The gospel we proclaim is inseparable from the spirit in which we proclaim it. When righteousness by faith is rightly understood, it produces patience, gentleness, and love—qualities essential for unity. “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” The Ministry of Healing, p. 470.

What is it that causes dissension and discord? It is the result of walking apart from Christ. At a distance from Him, we lose our love for Him, and grow cold toward His followers. The farther the beams of light recede from their center, the wider separated they become. Each believer is as a beam of light from Christ the Sun of righteousness. The more closely we walk with Christ, the center of all love and light, the greater will be our affection for His light-bearers. When the saints are drawn close to Christ, they must of necessity be drawn close to each other, for the sanctifying grace of Christ will bind their hearts together. You cannot love God and yet fail to love your ­brethren. Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 87.

In a world marked by competition and self-promotion, the church is called to model a different way of living. Paul urges, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” Philippians 2:3. Such counsel is not theoretical; it is practical Christianity lived out in homes, churches, and communities.

Righteousness by faith does not weaken commitment to truth; it strengthens it by grounding unity in Christ rather than in opinion or personality. As believers look to Jesus together, differences are softened and hearts are drawn closer.  “As we behold Christ, we become changed into the same image” The Great Controversy, p. 555.

True unity is the result of faith resting in Christ alone. When He is our righteousness, unity becomes not a burden to maintain, but a blessing to experience.

.....fearless

Fear is one of the enemy’s most effective tools. Fear of rejection, failure, suffering, or death can quietly shape our choices and silence our witness. Yet Scripture presents a different picture of the believer’s life “The righteous are bold as a lion” Proverbs 28:1. This boldness does not come from self-assurance, but from a settled trust in Christ.

Apostle Paul lived with this fearless confidence, from prison, he could declare, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” Romans 1:16, his courage flowed from knowing that his life was secure in Christ, regardless of circumstances. Whether he faced freedom or chains, life or death, his confidence remained unshaken.

Fearlessness also grows from peace with God “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. When the heart rests in Christ’s acceptance, the threats of this world lose their power. “He who is clothed with the righteousness of Christ need not fear the assaults of Satan.” Christ’s Object Lessons*, p. 316. Assurance in Christ produces spiritual courage.

Jesus Himself acknowledged that His followers would face hardship “In the world you will have tribulation” John 16:33, He encourages us to be of good cheer. Fearlessness is not the absence of danger, but the presence of trust. The believer stands firm, not because the path is easy, but because Christ has already won the victory.

This fearless faith is especially vital in a time when truth is unpopular and loyalty to Christ invites opposition. *“The greatest want of the world is the want of men… who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” Education*, p. 57.  Such courage is born of a living connection with Christ.

In a fearful world, God calls His people to live with quiet confidence, steadfast hope, and unwavering trust. When Christ is our assurance, fear loses its hold. Clothed in Him, we can stand fearless—faithful in trial, bold in witness, and at peace in every circumstance.

.....stand

Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel Philippians 1:27. 

This counsel is especially urgent n a world fractured by pride, self-interest, and confusion, Christian unity is not optional—it is essential to our witness and our survival.

Standing fast does not mean stubbornness or uniformity of personality; it means shared loyalty to Christ and His truth. Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You” John 17:21. Such unity is not manufactured by policy or pressure, but produced by the Spirit as believers submit their hearts to God’s sanctifying truth, when Christ is central, unity follows.

The early church understood this reality. Surrounded by hostility and persecution, they were “of one heart and one soul” Acts 4:32. Their unity did not shield them from suffering, but it empowered them to endure it with courage. “The strength of God’s people lies in their union with Him through His only-begotten Son, and their union with one another” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 240. Disunity weakens the church’s testimony and more often than not gives advantage to the enemy.

In an age that celebrates independence and self-expression above all else, humility becomes the glue of unity, we are exhorted by the Apostle “In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” Philippians 2:3. Pride fractures fellowship, Christlike meekness heals it, as pride and self-sufficiency are cherished, the spirit of Christ departs.

.

Standing fast together implies standing firm against error while maintaining love. Unity is never achieved by sacrificing truth, it is preserved by living the truth in love Ephesians 4:15. In a deceptive world, believers must cling to Scripture while extending grace to one another.

God calls His people to shine “as lights in the world” Philippians 2:15. When Christians stand fast in unity—humble, faithful, and loving—they reveal Christ’s character to a watching world. By His grace such unity testifies that the gospel is real, powerful, and transformative.

.....live

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain Philippians 1:21, these words capture the heart of authentic Christian discipleship. For the believer, life and death are both surrendered to Christ, governed not by fear or self-preservation, but by faith in God’s eternal purposes. This perspective lies at the center of the great controversy between Christ and Satan—a conflict over loyalty, trust, and love.

To **live for Christ** means that every aspect of life is brought under His lordship. Paul testified, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”Galatians 2:20. Such a life reflects Christ’s character—self-sacrificing love, obedience, and unwavering trust in the Father. When Christ lives within us, our daily choices, trials, and service become a witness to the gospel.

Paul also speaks of *dying for Chri—not as an escape from life, but as a faithful resting place when life’s work is done. Scripture is clear that death is a sleep until the resurrection: “The dead know nothing” Ecclesiastes 9:5, and “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice” John 5:28. For the Christian, death holds no terror, because it is not the end. Ellen G. White assures us, “To the believer, death is but a small matter… Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment” The Desire of Ages, p. 787

Paul understood that whether he lived or died, Christ would be glorified. Living meant continued labor for the church; dying meant resting in Christ until the resurrection morning Philippians 1:22–24. This confidence did not rest in human strength, but in Christ’s victory at the cross. “O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

In a world that clings desperately to life or fears death deeply, the Christian stands as a quiet testimony. To live is Christ—faithfully, obediently, lovingly. To die is gain—not because of immediate reward, but because the next moment of awareness will be seeing Jesus face to face. 

Such hope empowers believers to live courageously now, and to rest peacefully when their work is done.

.....anchored

When Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21, he was not speaking from comfort or safety. He was imprisoned, uncertain of his future, and fully aware that faithfulness to Christ could cost him his life. Yet he viewed death not as defeat, but as gain—because his life was already completely anchored in Christ.

Biblically, death is not glorified, nor is it minimized. Scripture calls it an enemy 1 Corinthians 15:26. Yet for the believer, death has been disarmed by the cross. Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” John 11:25. Because Christ conquered the grave, death no longer has the final word. It becomes a sleep from which God will awaken His faithful at the resurrection 1 Thessalonians 4:13–16.

Illustration in the life of a terminally ill Christian who, near the end of life, chose not to focus on fear but on faith. Though medical treatments had ended, hope had not. Surrounded by family, this believer spoke often of the resurrection morning and the joy of seeing Jesus face to face. There was sorrow in the room, but also peace. Death had lost its terror, because Christ had already secured the victory.

“To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Saviour the life that was lost through sin is restored.” The Desire of Ages, p. 786 Paul also recognized that while life meant fruitful labor for others, death meant rest and reward in Christ’s keeping Philippians 1:22–23. His confidence did not rest in martyrdom itself, but in the certainty that nothing—not even death—could separate him from Christ Romans 8:38–39.

... “to die is gain” because death ends suffering, silences the accusations of the enemy, and places the believer securely in Christ’s care until the resurrection. For those who live in Christ, death is not loss—it is a pause before eternal gain.

 

.....witness

Jesus’ final commission still echoes with urgency today: “You are the light of the world Matthew 5:14. Christ’s witnesses are not defined merely by what they say, but by how faithfully they reveal Him in a world that is constantly watching.

In a digital age filled with anger, fear, and division, authentic Christian witness is more powerful than ever. Peter reminds us, “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” 1 Peter 3:15. Hope becomes visible when it is lived consistently under pressure.

A  young Christian business owner navigating today’s competitive marketplace where supply chains failed and profits declined, refused to compromise integrity by exploiting customers or cutting ethical corners. He paid employees fairly even when it cost him personally. Over time, clients began asking why he operated differently from others. His answer was simple: “My faith in Christ guides every decision I make.” His business became a platform for witness, not through advertising religion, but through reflecting Christ’s principles.

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good.” The Ministry of Healing, p. 143

Witnessing today requires more than words; it demands Christlike consistency. In a world suspicious of religion, genuine character disarms skepticism. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35.

We are not left to represent Christ in our own strength. The promise of Acts 1:8 assures us that the Holy Spirit empowers every believer. “The life of Christ in the soul is a vital, energizing power.” Steps to Christ, p. 77

Whether in business, online spaces, homes, or communities, every believer is called to bear witness. When Christ lives within us, our lives become living sermons—silent, yet powerful.

....glory

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Corinthians 3:18

From the beginning, God created humanity with purpose—not merely to exist, but to reflect His glory. Though sin marred that image, redemption restores it. In Christ, we are not only forgiven; we are being recreated *for glory*, shaped daily to reflect His character more clearly.

A stained-glass window is a fitting illustration here. From the outside, it looks dull and dark. But when light shines through it, the colors come alive in breathtaking beauty. The glass does not produce the light—it simply allows it to pass through. In the same way, our lives may seem ordinary or even broken, but when Christ’s light shines through us, God’s glory is revealed.

The Bible reminds us, “For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” 2 Corinthians 4:6. Transformation happens not by striving, but by beholding—by spending time with Christ and allowing His Spirit to work within us.

“By beholding Christ, we become changed.” The Great Controversy, p. 555

The change is progressive—*from glory to glory*. Each victory over self, each act of love, each moment of trust reflects more of Jesus. God is not waiting for us to be perfect before He uses us; He works through us as He transforms us.

We were created to glorify God—not only in heaven someday, but here and now. When we surrender daily, our lives become living testimonies that point others to Him.

 

.....gain

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain Philippians 1:21

Paul’s words  are both profound and challenging. They reveal a life so fully surrendered to Christ that every breath has purpose, and even death holds no fear. To Paul, life was not about personal comfort, ambition, or survival—it was about Christ living through him.

Consider the story of a Christian nurse who worked long hours in a crowded hospital. Her job was demanding, the pay modest, and recognition rare. Yet she treated every patient with compassion, prayed silently as she worked, and spoke hope when fear filled the room. When asked why she remained so joyful under pressure, she simply said, “Jesus gave His life for me. Serving others is how I live for Him.” Her life reflected Paul’s testimony: Christ was not just part of her life—He was her life.

To live is Christ means that Jesus shapes our decisions, attitudes, and priorities. Our work becomes ministry. Our trials become testimonies. Our relationships become opportunities to reflect His character. And when Christ is truly our life, death is not a loss but a gain—because it brings us face to face at resurrection with the One we have loved and served.

“When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him.”  Steps to Christ, page 77

We are called us to examine our own lives. Is Christ the center of our living, or merely a part of it? When we fully surrender, we discover that a life hidden in Christ is the only life that truly satisfies and the only one that truly matters..

.....pilgrim

Many people struggle with uncertainty about the future. Plans feel fragile, outcomes unclear, and anxiety often fills the heart. Scripture reminds us, that this restlessness comes from trying to control what God never intended us to manage alone. *“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things”* Matthew 6:34.. The Christian life is not meant to be a carefully engineered roadmap but a journey of trust.

The Bible describes God’s children as **pilgrims and strangers** on the earth 1 Peter 2:11. Pilgrims travel with purpose but without permanent attachment to the road. Abraham lived this way, *“looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God”* Hebrews 11:10. His security was not in knowing every step ahead, but in knowing the One who led him.

We often assume peace will come once our future is clear. Yet Scripture teaches the opposite: peace comes when we surrender the future to God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5. God does not promise to reveal every detail, but He does promise His presence in every step.

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us.” Life Sketches, p. 196

God’s guidance is usually progressive, not predictive. He gives light enough for today, strength enough for the present duty, and grace enough for the moment. When we accept that our lives are in His hands, anxiety gives way to confidence—not in circumstances, but in God Himself.

The settled life is not one with all the answers, but one anchored in trust. As pilgrims, we walk forward not by sight, but by faith, knowing that the One who leads us also prepares the way.

.....alive

Leonard Ravenhill once said, “Jesus did not come into the world to make bad men good. He came into the world to make dead men live,” this captures the heart of the gospel. The problem we face is not merely bad behavior but spiritual death. Scripture is clear: *“You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins”* Ephesians 2:1, sin does more than stain us—it kills us spiritually, separating us from God, the source of life.

Jesus did not come simply to reform our habits or polish our morality. He came to resurrect the soul. When Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:25, He was speaking not only of the future resurrection but of present spiritual reality. Through Christ, those who were dead to God can live again—alive to righteousness, alive to love, alive to hope.

This new life is not achieved by human effort. We are reminded, “By grace you have been saved through faith… not of works, lest anyone should boast” Ephesians 2:8–9. Moral improvement without regeneration still leaves a person spiritually dead. Only the life of Christ within us can produce true transformation.

“The change in the human heart… can be brought about only by the working of the Holy Spirit.” Steps to Christ  p. 18

The Christian life, is not about trying harder but about living surrendered—daily allowing Christ’s life to flow through us. When we truly understand this, gratitude replaces pride, humility replaces self-reliance, and obedience flows naturally from love.

Jesus came to make the dead live. The question for each of us in this New Year is simple yet profound: *Are we merely trying to be good, or are we truly alive in Christ?*

May we walk in the light of His truth!

.....unopened

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord  Romans 6:23

The gift of God. Why do so many people miss His gift? One reason might be the rather ordinary wrapping; "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" Isaiah 53:2. And you can't get less majestic than the way He was born; "He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" Philippians 2:7. Such a great gift in such common wrapping could easily be missed. But perhaps there is something else, something in the very makeup of our nature which keeps us from opening His gift.

A prince does not have a problem accepting a gift meant for a prince. And a common person does not have a problem accepting a gift which is common. But a common person can be quite uncomfortable accepting a gift meant for a prince. We know what’s inside the gift - eternal life! 

A gift meant for a prince. And deep down we know we are so very common, so unworthy! This gift is too great, too much above what we feel we deserve. This gift makes us feel uncomfortable: "If we accept the gift, will we then feel a debt? How could we ever repay such a debt? Maybe it's best to ignore it and just leave it wrapped under the tree."

I suppose we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves. This is a natural reaction to such a gift. Ever since the gift was first made available, people have felt unworthy and refused to open or even give it much notice. They would rather try to somehow work and feel deserving; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" Ephesians 2:8-9. The gift cannot be earned, and working does not make us more deserving.

Jesus Christ came in ordinary wrapping. He died for the forgiveness of our sin. Why? So we could be given the greatest gift of all, the gift of eternal life! Let's not let another day go by without receiving His gift. Sure we might feel uncomfortable. Sure we might feel a debt we can never repay. But His gift is given in love and is worth it all. Let's honestly examine what is keeping us away. Let's humbly recognize our need; and in the quiet of our heart, let's be sure to receive the last unopened gift.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....remembrance

Why is December 25th so special? What really is this day we call Christmas?

The early church did not give much thought to the birth of Jesus. Of the four Gospels, only Matthew and Luke even mention His birth, and these accounts are relatively brief. Certainly, the emphasis of the Gospels was on Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. And after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the focus of the church was on living for Him, sending out His message, and waiting for His return.

No one is really sure when Jesus was born. The first recorded celebration didn't occur until 200 years after His birth, and it wasn't until the year 330 that the birth of Christ was assigned to December 25th. Some say Jesus was actually born in September or October and others are sure He was born in March or April; in fact, a case has been made for His birth in each of the twelve months! But it’s generally agreed that, due to the relatively colder weather, December was an unlikely time for the birth of our Savior, as it is recorded in the Bible. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us John 1:1,14

The very Word of God became flesh!  came to live among us, beginning life as a little baby. He "made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" Philippians 2:7. Representing a whole lot of love!

Christmas is a day to remember the most profound event in the history of the world. On that first Christmas, God came to earth to live among us! He was born into the most humble circumstances, grew and taught us His truths, died on a cross for our sin, and was raised, all so we might live with Him for eternity.

December 25th is a day to celebrate with quiet reflection, also a day to celebrate with great rejoicing.. The world has tried to remove Christ and insert many activities into this season which do not glorify God, but this need not hinder our worship. We have the ability to turn away the evil and embrace that which is honoring and good.

We should glorify God and celebrate the gift of our Savior every day throughout the year.