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Hindsight "Life has to be lived forwards but it can only be understood backwards." - Søren Kierkegaard "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" Job 12:12 (NIV) Hindsight If we could walk backwards through life, so many times of doubt and questioning would be erased from our path. But we would have also missed those desperate moments of trusting in the Lord, and clinging to Him for guidance.

God Will Direct "If this is to be a Happy New Year, a year of usefulness, a year in which we shall live to make this earth better, it is because God will direct our pathway. How important then, to feel our dependence upon Him!" - Matthew Simpson "I guide you in the way of wisdom And lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; When you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; Guard it well, for it is your life. The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, Shining ever brighter till the full light of day." Proverbs 4:11-13;18 (NIV) God Will Direct Sometimes God brings a change or a challenge into our lives to shake up our dependence upon self and turn us back to dependence upon Him. We are closest to finding His will for our lives, our happiness and usefulness, when we are completely in the dark waiting for that first gleam of dawn, and depending fully upon Him to cause the sun to rise.

Forgiveness Focuses Forward Look not back on yesterday So full of failure and regret; Look ahead and seek God's way-- All sin confessed you must forget. - Dennis DeHaan "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12 (NIV) Forgiveness Focuses Forward As we come to the end of the year, so often we look back with regret on things we did not accomplish, or resolutions long forgotten. But sin is one thing we should never need to look back on with feelings of failure. If we have confessed ou...

Pleasing in Your Sight So remember while December Brings the only Christmas day, In the year let there be Christmas In the things you do and say. - Anonymous "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 (NIV) Pleasing in Your Sight The words we speak are reflections of our thoughts and meditations. These God-pleasing thoughts and words become pleasing in his sight because they will motivate us to Christ-like actions - that are seen and not just heard. Are your thoughts and words pleasing to the Lord every day and not just at Christmas or on Sunday mornings? Do you keep the spirit of Christmas alive in your heart all throughout the year?

Eternal Glory "There is no improving the future without disturbing the present." - Catherine Booth "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) Eternal Glory If our present day situation is disturbing to us, perhaps there's something beyond our natural sight in the works, but not yet accomplished. The trouble we face today may be acheiving an eternal purpose so much better than we can imagine. Remember that what we see right now is only temporary. What is most important, though we may not yet be able to see it, is eternal.

A Christmas Candle A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small. - Eva K. Logue John the Baptist said of Jesus: "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." John 3:30 (NLT) A Christmas Candle We are like a candle that holds the flame, burning strong and bright the light of Christ. We softly give ourselves away in worship of Him and service for Him, that we might become less and less, and that He might become greater and brighter through us.

Come as a Child "There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child." - Erma Bombeck "He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 18:2-4 (NIV) Come as a Child Is there anything more exciting than being a child on Christmas morning? And yet this is what God asks of us each day, to change and become like little children. Not just on Christmas, but each day approaching our Father, God as a child, with excited anticipation of His goodness, and humbly trusting Him that every need will be met and every care will be under His control.

Not Alone at All "I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the word seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses." - Taylor Caldwell "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39 (NIV) Not Alone at All When you feel the most alone, it may be the very ...

Wonderful Impossibilities "When God intends to make something wonderful he begins with a difficulty. When he intends to make something very wonderful, he begins with an impossibility." - Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Coggan "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) Wonderful Impossibilities The birth of Jesus was not just a difficulty, it was an impossiblity. Mary was a virgin. Only God could breath life into her womb. And just as God caused her to conceive the perfect sinless Savior - fully God, fully human - He can accomplish through you, those things that seem impossible in your life.

Make Room for More Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing, Returns to you glad. - John Greenleaf Whittier "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38 (NLT) Make Room for More We have heard people say, "You can't out-give God." Well, you can't out-give yourself either! You don't need to be wealthy to possess a giving heart. Give a smile, lend an ear, extend a hand. However you give, God's promise is tried and tested, and you'll see the blessings return multiplied back to you.

Laugh with Immanuel "The implications of the name 'Immanuel' are both comforting and unsettling. Comforting, because He has come to share the danger as well as the drudgery of our everyday lives. He desires to weep with us and to wipe away our tears. And what seems most bizarre, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, longs to share in and to be the source of the laughter and the joy we all too rarely know." - Michael Card "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' - which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV) "Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence." Psalm 21:6 (NIV) Laugh with Immanuel Why do we turn to God so quickly in times of sorrow and struggle, in danger and fear, and forget Him in the times of joy and rejoicing? If God is the giver of joy and He...

The Greatest Christmas Gift "This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ." - Frank McKibben "And what a difference between our sin and God's generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God's bountiful gift. And the result of God's gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man's sin. For Adam's sin led to condemnation, but we have the free gift of being accepted by God, even though we are guilty of many sins. The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God's wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:15-17 (NLT) The Greatest Christmas Gift Each year we are reminded that Christm...

Day 1 - The Greatest Christmas Gift Day 2 - Laugh with Immanuel Day 3 - Wonderful Impossibilities Day 4 - Make Room for More Day 5 - Not Alone at All Day 6 - Come as a Child Day 7 - A Christmas Candle Day 8 - Pleasing in Your Sight Day 9 - Eternal Glory Day 10 - Forgiveness Focuses Forward Day 11 - Hindsight Day 12 - God Will Direct

These Christmas Bible verses reveal that God has given the greatest gift to the world—eternal life—and that life is in his Son, Jesus Christ. As Christians we celebrate his birth at Christmas, yet even more, we praise God for the gift of salvation and eternal life that was given to us though Jesus Christ. The Gift of Eternal Life 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (NIV) Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB) John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV) Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Chri...

Mary Visits Elizabeth Luke 1:39-45 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (KJV) Mary's Song Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him...

Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' " Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too m...

Are you looking for Bible verses to read on Christmas Day? Perhaps you're planning a Christmas family devotional, or just looking for Bible verses about Christmas to place on your Christmas cards. To help you find just the right words, this collection of Christmas Bible verses is arranged according to various themes and Bible events surrounding the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus . If presents and wrapping paper, mistletoe and Santa Clause are all stealing your vision away from the true reason for this season, take a few minutes to meditate on these Christmas Bible verses and make Christ the central focus of your Christmas this year. The Birth of Jesus Matthew 1:18-25 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph , but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to di...

The Christmas Story of the Birth of Jesus - Paraphrased from the Bible: This Christmas story gives a biblical account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ . The Christmas story is paraphrased from the New Testament Books of Matthew and Luke in the Bible. References: Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20. The Conception of Jesus Foretold Mary , a virgin, was living in Galilee of Nazareth and was engaged to be married to Joseph , a Jewish carpenter. An angel visited her and explained to her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit . She would carry and give birth to this child and she would name him Jesus. At first Mary was afraid and troubled by the angel's words. Being a virgin, Mary questioned the angel, "How will this be?" The angel explained that the child would be God's own Son and, therefore, "nothing is impossible with God." Humbled and in awe, Mary believed the angel of the Lord and rejoiced i...

Are you looking for Bible verses to read on Christmas Day? Perhaps you're planning a Christmas family devotional, or just looking for Bible verses about Christmas to place on your Christmas cards. To help you find just the right words, this collection of Christmas Bible verses is arranged according to various themes and Bible events surrounding the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus . If presents and wrapping paper, mistletoe and Santa Clause are all stealing your vision away from the true reason for this season, take a few minutes to meditate on these Christmas Bible verses and make Christ the central focus of your Christmas this year. The Birth of Jesus Matthew 1:18-25 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph , but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to di...

Keeping Christ in Christmas: The number one way to keep Jesus Christ in your Christmas celebrations is to have him present in your daily life. If you're not sure what it means to become a believer in Christ, check out this article on " How to Become a Christian. " If you've already accepted Jesus as your Savior and made him the center of your life, keeping Christ in Christmas is more about the way you live your life than the things you say—such as "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays." Keeping Christ in Christmas means daily revealing the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells in you, by allowing these traits to shine through your actions. Here are simple ways to keep Christ the central focus of your life this Christmas season. 1) Give God one very special gift just from you to him: Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. David said in 2 Samuel 24 that he would not offer a ...

A Christmas Lesson "Is there a purpose? Why are we here?" A little boy asked as the yuletide drew near. "I really do hope that someday I will know The reason we stand out here in the snow, Ringing this bell as people walk by While snowflakes descend from out of the sky." The mother just smiled at her shivering son Who would rather be playing and having some fun, But soon would discover before evening was done The meaning of Christmas, the very first one. The young boy exclaimed, "Mother, where do they go, All the pennies we collect every year in the snow? Why do we do it? Why do we care? We work for these pennies, so why should we share?" "Because once a small baby, so meek and so mild Was born in a manger," She said to the child. "The Son of a King was born in this way, To give us the message He carried that day." "You mean Baby Jesus? Is He why we're here, Ringing this bell at Christmas time every year?" "Yes,"...

A Christmas Miracle" is an original Christian poem submitted by an About.com member. This Christmas poem tells the story of a mother's desperate prayer and a Christmas miracle for her little boy. Do you have an original Christian prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem now, please fill out this Submission Form . A Christmas Miracle It was six months ago, and a day, When her husband passed away. The doctors said there's no more to do, So she quit her job to help him through. The child was sleeping when his father died, To tell her son, oh, how she tried. The little boy cried that night, Full of fear, full of fright. And on that night she lost her faith, Never to believe in the "Pearly Gate." She made a vow to never pray, It mean...

Enjoy this Christmas prayer and celebrate the season with several more original Christmas prayers and poems. Also find a few New Year's prayers and poems. Not Only Christmas Day Lord, this is my prayer Not only on Christmas Day But until I see You face to face May I live my life this way: Just like the baby Jesus I ever hope to be, Resting in Your loving arms Trusting in Your sovereignty. And like the growing Christ child In wisdom daily learning, May I ever seek to know You With my mind and spirit yearning. Like the Son so faithful Let me follow in Your light, Meek and bold, humble and strong Not afraid to face the night. Nor cowardly to suffer And stand for truth alone, Knowing that Your kingdom Awaits my going home. Not afraid to sacrifice Though great may be the cost, Mindful how You rescued me From broken-hearted loss. Like my risen Savior The babe, the child, the Son, May my life forever speak Of who You are and all You've done. So while this world rejoices And celebrat...

Enjoy this Christmas prayer and celebrate the season with several more original Christmas prayers and poems. Also find a few New Year's prayers and poems. Not Only Christmas Day Lord, this is my prayer Not only on Christmas Day But until I see You face to face May I live my life this way: Just like the baby Jesus I ever hope to be, Resting in Your loving arms Trusting in Your sovereignty. And like the growing Christ child In wisdom daily learning, May I ever seek to know You With my mind and spirit yearning. Like the Son so faithful Let me follow in Your light, Meek and bold, humble and strong Not afraid to face the night. Nor cowardly to suffer And stand for truth alone, Knowing that Your kingdom Awaits my going home. Not afraid to sacrifice Though great may be the cost, Mindful how You rescued me

I read recently that 50 percent of all born-again Christians don’t have the assurance of salvation. Maybe some just need to memorize some pertinent passages on the assurance of salvation, like 1 John 5:13, and realize that God's Word does indeed promise that salvation is the present possession of every true follower of Christ. On the other hand, perhaps a lot of so-called Christians do not have the assurance of salvation because they are not really saved. Just because you attend church or engage in certain religious activities does not necessarily mean you are a Christian. The Apostle Paul instructed those in the early church to examine themselves to see if their faith was genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5). So, how do I know if you are a Christian? How do you know if I'm one? There must be evidence. Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:20). If someone examined your life, would they find any spiritual fruit—hard evidence to prove that you are a true ...

This chapter contains an account, I. Of the miserable condition of these Ephesians by nature (v. 1-3) and again (v. 11, 12). II. Of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace (v. 4–10) and again (v. 13). III. Of the great and mighty privileges that both converted Jews and Gentiles receive from Christ (v. 14–22). The apostle endeavours to affect them with a due sense of the wonderful change which divine grace had wrought in them; and this is very applicable to that great change which the same grace works in all those who are brought into a state of grace. So that we have here a lively picture both of the misery of unregenerate men and of the happy condition of converted souls, enough to awaken and alarm those who are yet in their sins and to put them upon hastening out of that state, and to comfort and delight those whom God hath quickened, with a consideration of the mighty privileges with which they are invested. Verses 1-3 The miserable condition of the Ephesi...

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4) But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:7) Appearances of the word "hell" in the New Testament But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:22 Jesus speaking) If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (Matthew 5:29 Jesus speaking) And if your right...

Email this Print this Discuss this Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Delicious Share on Digg Share on StumbleUpon more Does this make sense to you? Do you desire the kind of gladness that comes from being satisfied with all that God is for you in Jesus? If so, then God is at work in your life. What should you do? Turn from the deceitful promises of sin. Call upon Jesus to save you from the guilt and punishment and bondage. "All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13). Start banking your hope on all that God is for you in Jesus. Break the power of sin's promises by faith in the superior satisfaction of God's promises. Begin reading the Bible to find his precious and very great promises, which can set you free (2 Peter 1:3-4). Find a Bible-believing church and begin to worship and grow together with other people who treasure Christ above all things (Philippians 3:7). The best news in the world is that there is no necessary conflict bet...