The birth of Jesus in Luke 2 is a masterful display of God’s sovereignty, orchestrating history to bring forth His Son at the appointed time and place. Caesar Augustus, the most powerful ruler of the known world, issues a decree for a census, unknowingly setting in motion the fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The One who reigns over heaven and earth enters the world not in a palace, but in a humble setting, wrapped in cloth and laid in a manger.

“Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead.” —Romans 6:13

The journey through Romans 6, 7, and 8 is a passage from struggle to rest, from self-effort to Spirit-led living. These chapters unfold as a unified revelation: the Cross as the key to both deliverance from sin’s dominion and liberty in Christ’s life.

Romans 6 lays the foundation—we have died with Christ, severed from sin’s rule. The command to reckon this as true and yield to God is not an invitation to effort but to recognition. We do not strive to crucify the old self; we acknowledge that it has already been done.

The story of Jehoshaphat’s battle against overwhelming odds is a powerful reminder that God is not merely a distant observer but the One who fights on behalf of His people. Faced with an invading army far beyond his ability to defeat, Jehoshaphat did not rely on military strategy, alliances, or his own strength—he turned his eyes to the Lord.

Ezekiel 6 presents a sobering message: God will utterly destroy the high places, the altars, and the people who engage in idolatry. His judgment will stretch across the land, and those who worship false gods will see the futility of their rebellion. Yet, amid the devastation, God preserves a remnant—a people who will acknowledge His sovereignty and turn back to Him. This passage highlights the Lord’s unwavering holiness, His intolerance of idolatry, and His mercy in preserving a faithful remnant.

Bildad’s words to Job reveal a harsh and legalistic mindset, one that assumes suffering must always be the result of sin. Unlike Eliphaz, who tried to reason with Job, Bildad comes in with a rigid confidence, insisting that Job's children must have perished because of their wrongdoing (v. 4). He urges Job to seek God in repentance, believing that if he is truly upright, God will restore him (vv. 5-6). His argument is rooted in tradition, looking to the wisdom of past generations as the foundation of his beliefs (vv. 8-10).

"Then the Lord said to Isaiah, 'Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.’”
—Isaiah 7:3-4

God’s direction to Isaiah was precise. He was to meet King Ahaz at a specific location—the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. While it may seem like an incidental detail, every word in Scripture carries meaning, and this location was no exception. It was the place where two powerful symbols met: the flowing water of blessing from the Most High and the upward path of cleansing.

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes." — Psalm 37:7 BSB

In the old creation, labor came first, followed by rest. But in Christ, we begin with rest and move into labor from that place of abiding. This is the pattern of the resurrection life—ceasing from our own striving and walking in the work He accomplishes through us.

"Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all." — Philippians 2:17

Oswald Chambers challenges us with a question that cuts to the core of self-abandonment in Christ: Are we willing to be poured out for the sake of others, without recognition, without acknowledgment, without a sense of visible accomplishment? Or do we insist on defining the terms of our surrender, choosing a path of service that suits our preferences?

"Be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" (1 Peter 5:5)

Pride stands in direct opposition to the life God desires for us. It exalts self, deceives the heart, and leads to destruction. Yet, humility, the very opposite, positions us to receive God's abundant grace. As Scripture reveals, "When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the humble is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2). The path to wisdom, honor, and grace is not found in lifting ourselves up, but in lowering ourselves before the Lord.

A secure foundation is necessary for steady growth. Many believers struggle with entering into the full reality of their new life in Christ because they are unsure of their salvation. They may acknowledge the forgiveness of their sins but hesitate to rest in their full acceptance in Christ. This uncertainty stunts their spiritual growth, leaving them unable to walk in the victory of Romans Six and Eight because they have not fully grasped the certainty of Romans Three, Four, and Five.

The relationship between psychology and biblical counseling has been a topic of debate for decades. Many Christian counselors struggle with how—or even whether—psychological insights should be incorporated into biblical counseling. Should psychology be integrated with biblical principles, or should it be viewed through the lens of Scripture and used in a limited way?

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul addresses a pressing issue in the Corinthian church: whether Christians should eat food that has been sacrificed to idols. While some believers understood that idols were nothing and that eating such food had no spiritual significance, others—especially recent converts from paganism—still associated it with their former idolatrous practices. Paul’s response is clear: knowledge alone is not enough. Love for our brothers and sisters must guide our actions.

Luke’s Gospel begins with a carefully ordered account of God’s unfolding plan, revealing the dawn of salvation through the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. These events are not isolated miracles but the fulfillment of divine promises, meticulously orchestrated to bring about redemption. Through the contrasting responses of Zechariah and Mary, we see the significance of faith and trust in God’s Word.

In a world where uncertainty often shakes even the most steadfast hearts, the Gospel of Luke stands as a testimony to the reliability of God’s promises. Luke wrote his account to provide assurance—assurance that Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of all that God has declared, and that those who trust in Him stand firmly within His eternal purposes. Unlike a mere historical record, this Gospel is a declaration of certainty in the face of doubt, stability in the midst of turmoil, and confidence in the reality of Christ’s redemptive work.

📖 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. — 2 Corinthians 5:20

When we were made new in Christ, we were not merely improved versions of our old selves. We became something entirely different—new creations, transformed and commissioned to represent Christ on this earth. Among the "new things" that define our life in Him is our role as ambassadors.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” —Romans 8:1

A life weighed down by condemnation is a life burdened by a weight it was never meant to carry. The feeling of unresolved guilt is like a heavy stone lodged deep in the soul—always present, always reminding. Many strive to rid themselves of it through effort, discipline, or even religious devotion, yet it remains, an unyielding witness to their insufficiency.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell this people: Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’”
— Isaiah 6:8-9

When Isaiah stood before the Lord, his response was immediate and wholehearted. He did not hesitate, nor did he look for an excuse. Why? Because he had already encountered the holiness of God, recognized his own unworthiness, and received divine cleansing. The weight of his sin had been lifted. He knew he was forgiven, and from that place of certainty, he was ready to go wherever God sent him.

📖 “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20 BSB

We do not follow a distant Savior who left us to navigate life alone. Christ is not merely a historical figure or a future hope—He is the ever-present Lord who lives within us. His promise is not just for the strong moments, the victories, or the peaceful seasons, but for every breath, every step, and every trial. "I am with you always." Not I was or I will be, but I am.

God’s abundant grace is not just a gift for salvation but an ever-present reality in our daily walk with Him. We entered into this grace through humility and faith, and we continue in it the same way. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The moment we step into self-sufficiency, we place ourselves in opposition to the very grace that enables us to live the life Christ intends. But when we embrace humility—acknowledging our utter dependence on Him—we find ourselves continually supplied with grace upon grace.

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I myself no longer live.” (Galatians 2:20, WMS)

At the moment of salvation, many believers experience a sense of victory, thinking that their struggles with sin and self are forever behind them. Yet, as time passes, they find the world’s pull and their own fleshly tendencies creeping back in. Instinctively, they double down on self-effort—trying harder, resolving to do better, determined to live a victorious Christian life. But this struggle, no matter how sincere, always ends in frustration. Why? Because victory is not found in effort, but in the Cross.