JESUS! THE BEST GIFT EVER
ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathe gavehisonlybegottenson,that whosoeverbelievethinhimshould notperish,buthaveeverlastinglife. ForGodsentnothisSonintothe worldtocondemntheworld;but thattheworldthroughhimmight besaved.John3:16-17
IamgratefulthatGodgavehisonly Son.Thatwemayhaveachoiceto liveordie.Ifwebelieveandhave faithinHimandhisword,nothing willbeimpossible.
Jesusisthebestgiftanyonecould have.Hegiveshealing,lessonsthat pertaintolifeandgodliness, suppliestoeveryneed,power,love, andasoundmind.Andthegiftof theHolySpiritentwiningusinHim neverleavingorforsakingus.Jesus idthebestgiftevery!
Theperfectgiftnotforjustnowor foronemonthbutforevermore.A Giftthatgivelifemoreabundantly, peace,andalovethatcan’tbe explained. 6
& Stay Ready Let’s Get Ready
Let’sgetready!Thebigeventis near,andweneedtogetreadyand stayready.Planningandpreparing forJesuscomingshouldbethefirst andlastofourthoughts.Godthe Fatheristhefirstandthelast,soHe shouldbethestartandfinishofour day.
Gettingreadystartswithprayer, meditation,dailybreadbeingthe wordofGod.Consultingwiththe HolySpiritbecauseheknowsthe thoughtshethinkstowardsus.This timefillsuswiththoughtsandideas throughoutthedaythatleadusto Hispromiseandfulfillourheart’s desires.
Planningyourday,week, month,andyearifyoucan. Planninggivesalayoutof whattodonextsothat thereisalwaysmovement tothegoalthatisset.No matterwhatfieldweare playingon,weneedaplan.
& Stay Ready Let’s Get Ready
Beforeplanningthinkabout theplan.Decideifthiswillbe along-termorshort-term plan.Planningisvery importantbecausewhenyou donothaveaplan,youendup wanderingaimlessly.,orall overtheplacewithoutasense ofdirection.Planeverything beforegoingonthejourney. Mostpeopledonotplanatrip withoutlookingatthecostto stay,thingstodo,moneyto shop,thecostoftheflightor howmanymilestodrive.After lookingatthecostyoudecide toonecutbackandmake sacrificesonsomething,work extrahours,getasecondjob, orjustsimplybeginsaving. Changesaremadetotakethe journeyinallareasoflife.
Stayfocusedontheroadandwhatis ahead.Don’tlookback,anddon’twait untilthenewyearstartsnow.Shiftnow andmakethenecessarychangesto grow,buildandaccomplishtheend result.TobereadyforJesuscomingand allthatHehasinstoreforus. Practicing everydaymakesusready.
Don’tloseconfidenceinChristorin you!Believeinyouandallthatyou werecreatedtodo.AndknowthatGod iswithyou!
~Written by Daveda Janine, Creator and host of the radio podcast, The Journey Tip, which Airs every Sunday at 4 pm EST. on WABB 105.1 FM, 1390 AM Spirit Radio, and online at, https://spirit1051.com
Save the best for last" seems fitting for the upcoming holiday: Christmas. It is a day set aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Whether He was born on December 25th or not is irrelevant, and the same goes for the pagan traditions attached to Christmas. What matters most to God are your intentions and your heart. As He tells us in Jeremiah 17:10: “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
SavedThe BestFor Last
I remember a time on my journey when I became confused about whether I should celebrate Christmas. I heard people claim it to be a pagan holiday and, as a Christian, I should not celebrate it. I researched and discovered some truths about pagan traditions celebrated around the same time of year. I asked the Lord how He feels about it, and through His Word, He revealed His heart about Christmas and other holidays. The revelation was liberating. For anyone who has mixed emotions about the upcoming season, I pray that you find revelation through what God showed me, which is all found in His Word.
In Romans 14, Paul, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, gently encourages us to respect each other's personal convictions and avoid disputes over differences in opinions
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Heteaches….
that if someone chooses to observe a special day for the Lord, they should be free to do so. Likewise, if another person sees every day the same, they should be free to follow their belief. We are all free to follow our personal convictions on matters that are not essential to the faith. For me, I joyfully celebrate the birth of our Savior on December 25th. I cherish it as the final holiday of the year, embracing the thought of saving the best for last.
As I continue to mature in Christ, the way I celebrate Christmas is changing significantly. As a child, I eagerly looked forward to what I would receive. As a young adult, I felt the pressure of what to give. As a parent, that pressure only increased. Now, reflecting on those experiences, I realize that my focus has shifted. I wish I had seen things differently when my children were younger and put more emphasis on the joy of giving rather than the anticipation of receiving. I would encourage them to focus more on the meaning behind a gift rather than the quantity and cost.
When we think of the priceless gift of salvation given to us by Heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ,
we can see that the gift was fueled by love, service, and the essence of time not money, quantity, or size. He gave us a gift that never loses value. In the Old Testament, we see that God was actively preparing His gift for years. It wasn’t just a last minute thought. Hundreds of years before Jesus’s birth, Isaiah the prophet said, in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will call him Immanuel”. Isaiah 49:6 says, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.” When I see the star on the top of Christmas tree and the lights twinkling below, I think of the star that served as a light and a guide for the wise men. I think of how Jesus came as a light for us. God’s plan was to not only gift the chosen people of Israel with salvation, but to also extend it to non-Jews, to include everyone in his redemptive plan. His gift was one of divine significance.
DivineSignificance…
We Give Gifts…
We give gifts during Christmas to symbolize the actions of the wise men during their visit to baby Jesus. The gifts the wise men brought were all of intrinsic value. Gold represented Jesus’s kingship as the King of the Jews.
Frankincenseoftenused inworship…
Frankincense, often used in worship, symbolized Jesus’s divinity and role as a high priest. We give gifts during Christmas to symbolize the actions of the wise men during their visit to baby Jesus. The gifts the wise men brought were all of intrinsic value. Gold represented Jesus’s kingship as the King of the Jews. Frankincense, often used in worship, symbolized Jesus’s divinity and role as a high priest. Myrrh, commonly used during burials, symbolized His humanity and foreshadowed His death. If we give gifts to mimic what the wise men did, then we should mimic the intent as well, freeing ourselves from the pressure of focusing on monetary value and quantity.
The art of giving and fellowship is attached to most holidays. However, in light of saving the best for last, we use the last national holiday of the year to give and fellowship to celebrate the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 2:11).
December 25th is set aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Despite the world’s efforts to distract us from Christ in Christmas, let’s light it up with the real reason for the season through our worship and praise. As children of God, join me in honoring the best gift ever given from our Heavenly Father through our fellowship and giving. “Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on earth, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).
I pray that you find joy and peace through the celebration of Christ’s birth this Christmas season! Be blessed!
By: Daveda Janine
December Have No Fear
Aswereachthefinalmonthoftheyear,it’seasyto reflectonthechallenges,disappointments,orstruggles thatmayhaveshapedthisjourney.Perhapstherewere momentswhereitfeltliketheweightoftheworldwas toomuchtobear,orwherethefutureseemed uncertainandintimidating.Butaswestandatthe thresholdofDecember,letmeremindyouof somethingpowerful:
God is still with you, and His promises still stand.
Nomatterhowthingshavelooked,orhowtheymight appearinthisfinalmonth,Godisnot boundbytimeorcircumstances.Hispresenceremains constant,Hisloveunshakable.Hehascarriedyou througheveryseason,everytrial,andeveryvictory— whetheryourealizeditornot.Andaswecloseoutthis year,Heisinvitingyoutofinishstrong,trustingthatHe whohasbeenfaithfulwillcontinuetobefaithfulinthe daysahead.
Donotfear,forIamwith you.
TheBibleremindsusinIsaiah41:10,“Sodonotfear, forIamwithyou;donotbedismayed,forIamyour God.Iwillstrengthenyouandhelpyou;Iwilluphold youwithmyrighteousrighthand.”Evenwhenthe worldseemstobeinturmoil,andourheartsfeel weary,God’spromiseisthatHewillupholdus.He doesn’tjustwalkbesideus;Hestrengthensus,holds usup,andguidesuswithHislovingcare.
InPsalm23:4,wearetold,“Even thoughIwalkthroughthedarkest valley,Iwillfearnoevil, foryouarewithme.”Nomatterhow darkthedaysmayfeel,Godisthere, walkingwithyou. Thereisno shadowtoodeep,nonighttoolong, whereHislightcannotshine.Heis yourcomfortandyourprotection, andnomatterhowthingsare looking,Hispresenceneverleaves you.Aswefinishthisyear,letgoof anydiscouragement, disappointment,orregret.Godis notfinishedwithyouyet.Thisisnot theend,butanewbeginning.In Philippians1:6,Paulreassuresus: “Beingconfidentofthis,thathewho beganagoodworkinyouwillcarry itontocompletionuntilthedayof ChristJesus.”
So,holdyourheadhighandkeep movingforward,knowingthatyou arenotalone.Yourbest daysareahead,andGodhasmorein storeforyou.Aswestepintothis finalmonth,letyour heartbefilledwithhope,forGod’s faithfulnessisneweverymorning, andHispromisesremaintrueuntil theend.Embracethismonthwith faith,knowingthatnomatterhow thingsarelooking,Godisstillin control,andHisplanforyouisgood. Finishstrong,trustinHim,andstep confidentlyintothenewyearahead!
1.December1-Psalm112:7:“Theywillhavenofearofbadnews;theirhearts aresteadfast,trustingintheLord.”
2.December2-Psalm115:11:“Youwhofearhim,trustintheLord heis theirhelpandshield.”
3.December3-Proverbs3:5-6:“TrustintheLordwithallyourheartandlean notonyourownunderstanding;inallyourwayssubmittohim,andhewill makeyourpathsstraight.”
4.December4-Isaiah12:2:“SurelyGodismysalvation;Iwilltrustandnotbe afraid.TheLord,theLordhimself,ismystrengthandmydefense;hehas becomemysalvation.”
5.December5-Isaiah26:3:“Youwillkeepinperfectpeace thosewhosemindsaresteadfast,becausetheytrustin you.”
6.December6-Isaiah35:4:“Saytothosewithfearfulhearts,'Bestrong, donotfear;yourGodwillcome,hewillcomewithvengeance;withdivine retributionhewillcometosaveyou.”
7.December7-Isaiah41:10:“Sodonotfear,forIamwithyou;donotbe dismayed,forIamyourGod.Iwillstrengthenyouandhelpyou;Iwilluphold youwithmyrighteousrighthand.”
8.December8-Isaiah41:13:“ForIamtheLordyourGodwhotakesholdof yourrighthandandsaystoyou,Donotfear;Iwillhelpyou.”
9.December9-Isaiah41:14:“Donotbeafraid,youwormJacob,littleIsrael, donotfear,forImyselfwillhelpyou,”declarestheLord,yourRedeemer,the HolyOneofIsrael.”
10.December10-Isaiah43:1:“Donotfear,forIhaveredeemedyou;Ihave summonedyoubyname;youaremine.”
11.December11-Isaiah54:4:“Do notbeafraid;youwillnotbeputto shame.Donotfeardisgrace;youwill notbehumiliated.Youwillforgetthe shameofyouryouthandremember nomorethereproachofyour widowhood.”
12.December12-Isaiah54:14:“In righteousnessyouwillbeestablished: Tyrannywillbefarfromyou;youwill havenothingtofear.Terrorwillbefar removed;itwillnotcomenearyou.”
13.December13-Jeremiah1:8:“Do notbeafraidofthem,forIamwith youandwillrescueyou,declaresthe Lord.”
14.December14-Jeremiah17:7-8: “Butblessedistheonewhotrustsin theLord,whoseconfidenceisinhim. Theywillbelikeatreeplantedbythe waterthatsendsoutitsrootsbythe stream.Itdoesnotfearwhenheat comes;itsleavesarealwaysgreen.It hasnoworriesinayearofdrought andneverfailstobearfruit.”
Do not worry about tomorrow!
15.December15-Matthew6:34: “Thereforedonotworryabout tomorrow,fortomorrowwillworry aboutitself.
16.December16-Matthew10:28: “Donotbeafraidofthosewhokillthe bodybutcannotkillthesoul.Rather, beafraidoftheOnewhocandestroy bothsoulandbodyinhell.”
17.December17-Matthew14:27: “ButJesusimmediatelysaidtothem; Takecourage!ItisI.Don’tbeafraid.”
18.December18-Luke1:30:“But theangelsaidtoher,Donotbeafraid, Mary;youhavefoundfavorwithGod.”
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19. December 19 - Luke 2:10: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
20. December 20 - Luke 12:4: “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.”
21.December21-Luke12:7:“Indeed,theveryhairsofyourheadareall numbered.Don’tbeafraid;youareworthmorethanmanysparrows.”
22.December22-Luke12:32:“Donotbeafraid,littleflock,foryourFather hasbeenpleasedtogiveyouthekingdom.”
23.December23-John14:1:“Donotletyourheartsbetroubled.Youbelieve inGod;believealsoinme.
24.December24-John14:27:“PeaceIleavewithyou;mypeaceIgiveyou.I donotgivetoyouastheworldgives.Donotletyourheartsbetroubledanddo notbeafraid.”
25. December 25 - John 16:33: “I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
26.December26-Acts18:9:“OnenighttheLordspoketoPaulinavision:Do notbeafraid;keeponspeaking,donotbesilent.”
27.December27-Romans8:15:“TheSpirityoureceiveddoesnotmakeyou slaves,sothatyouliveinfearagain;rather,theSpirityoureceivedbrought aboutyouradoptiontosonship.Andbyhimwecry,Abba,Father”
28.December28-Romans8:31:“What,then,shallwesayinresponsetothese things?IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus?”
29.December29-2Timothy1:7:“FortheSpiritGodgaveusdoesnotmakeus timid,butgivesuspower,loveandself-discipline.”
30.December30-Hebrews13:5-6:“Keepyourlivesfreefromtheloveof moneyandbecontentwithwhatyouhave,becauseGodhassaid,“NeverwillI leaveyou;neverwillIforsakeyou.”Sowesaywithconfidence,“TheLordismy helper;Iwillnotbeafraid.Whatcanmeremortalsdotome?”
GiveyourlifetoJesus
GeteternallifewithGod.ConfessyoursinsandinvitetheLordintobeyour savior.
● Romans10:9,10,13 thatifthoushaltconfesswiththymouththeLordJesus, andshaltbelieveinthineheartthatGodhathraisedhimfromthedead,thou shaltbesaved10Forwiththeheartmanbelievethuntorighteousness;and withthemouth,confessionismadeuntosalvation.Romans10:13For whosoevershallcalluponthenameoftheLordshallbesaved
● SinnersPrayer–LordJesus,IknowIamasinner.IbelieveYoudiedformy sins.Rightnow,Iturnfrommysinsandopenthedoorofmyheartandlife.I repentofeachandeveryoneofmysins.Havemercyonme,ohLord,andsave me.IconfessYouasmypersonalLordandSavior.Washandcleansemewith yourblood.AndfillmewithyourHolySpiritinthenameofJesusIprayAmen.
Gen4:1 AndAdamknewEve hiswife;andsheconceived, andbareCain,andsaid,Ihave gottenamanfromtheLORD.
Gen4:2 Andsheagainbare hisbrotherAbel.AndAbelwas akeeperofsheep,butCain wasatilleroftheground.
Gen4:3 Andinprocessoftime itcametopass,thatCain broughtofthefruitofthe groundanofferinguntothe LORD.
Gen4:4 AndAbel,healso broughtofthefirstlingsofhis flockandofthefatthereof. AndtheLORDhadrespect untoAbelandtohisoffering:
Gen4:5 ButuntoCainandto hisofferinghehadnotrespect. AndCainwasverywroth,and hiscountenancefell.
Gen4:6 AndtheLORDsaid untoCain,Whyartthou wroth?andwhyisthy countenancefallen?
Gen4:7 Ifthoudoestwell, shaltthounotbeaccepted? andifthoudoestnotwell,sin liethatthedoor.Andunto theeshallbehisdesire,and thoushaltruleoverhim.
Gen4:8 AndCaintalkedwith Abelhisbrother:anditcame topass,whentheywereinthe field,thatCainroseupagainst Abelhisbrother,andslew him.
Gen4:9 AndtheLORDsaid untoCain,WhereisAbelthy brother?Andhesaid,Iknow not:AmImybrother's keeper?
Genesis 4
Gen4:10 Andhesaid,What hastthoudone?thevoiceof thybrother'sbloodcriethunto mefromtheground.
Gen4:11 Andnowartthou cursedfromtheearth,which hathopenedhermouthto receivethybrother'sblood fromthyhand;
Gen4:12 Whenthoutillestthe ground,itshallnothenceforth yielduntotheeherstrength;a fugitiveandavagabondshalt thoubeintheearth.
Gen4:13 AndCainsaidunto theLORD,Mypunishmentis greaterthanIcanbear.
Gen4:14 Behold,thouhast drivenmeoutthisdayfrom thefaceoftheearth;andfrom thyfaceshallIbehid;andI shallbeafugitiveanda vagabondintheearth;andit shallcometopass,thatevery onethatfindethmeshallslay me.
Gen4:15 AndtheLORDsaid untohim,Therefore whosoeverslayethCain, vengeanceshallbetakenon himsevenfold.AndtheLORD setamarkuponCain,lestany findinghimshouldkillhim.
Gen4:16 AndCainwentout fromthepresenceofthe LORD,anddweltinthelandof Nod,ontheeastofEden.
Gen4:17 AndCainknewhis wife;andsheconceived,and bareEnoch:andhebuildeda city,andcalledthenameofthe city,afterthenameofhisson, Enoch.
Gen4:18 AnduntoEnochwas bornIrad:andIradbegat Mehujael:andMehujaelbegat Methusael:andMethusael begatLamech.
Gen4:19 AndLamechtook untohimtwowives:thename oftheonewasAdah,andthe nameoftheotherZillah.
Gen4:20 AndAdahbareJabal: hewasthefatherofsuchas dwellintents,andofsuchas havecattle.
Gen4:21 Andhisbrother's namewasJubal:hewasthe fatherofallsuchashandlethe harpandorgan.
Gen4:22 AndZillah,shealso bareTubalcain,aninstructer ofeveryartificerinbrassand iron:andthesisterof TubalcainwasNaamah
Gen4:23 AndLamechsaid untohiswives,Adahand Zillah,Hearmyvoice;yewives ofLamech,hearkenuntomy speech:forIhaveslainaman tomywounding,andayoung mantomyhurt.
Gen4:24 IfCainshallbe avengedsevenfold,truly Lamechseventyand sevenfold.
Gen4:25 AndAdamknewhis wifeagain;andshebareason, andcalledhisnameSeth:For God,saidshe,hathappointed meanotherseedinsteadof Abel,whomCainslew.
Gen4:26 AndtoSeth,tohim alsotherewasbornason;and hecalledhisnameEnos:then beganmentocalluponthe nameoftheLORD.
