I’m a few days ahead of myself, but the current year is on its way out. Whatever took place in 2007 is in the history books or soon will be. Thanks to the internet, we have a rolling archive of information at our disposal that constantly pushes fresh news to the top while burying that which has been forgotten into its deepest recesses.

Every single one of us has memories which we want to cherish forever as well as those memories we would soon rather forget. Set before me, I can visualize many of the highlights and low points of the past year, nodding approval at some while looking upon others with disdain. There were times when I felt like a saint, but there were also those times I felt like the chiefest of sinners.

Regardless of what we do or how we feel, God is forever present watching over the events of our lives. Some people never acknowledge God, considering His very existence to be a myth or, at the very least, a disinterested being or force who could care less about us personally. Others believe in a personalized higher power, but they may think He (or She, or It) is always mad at them, so they keep their distance.

God wants to be more than a casual observer in our lives. His interest extends to answering the simple prayer of a child to tearing down the Berlin Wall. We may ascribe many of the events of our lives and world to happenstance, but He is not impotent nor is He impersonal — He wants to hear from you and bring meaning and order to your life.

Far be it for me to say you must do this or that in order to get God’s attention. He hears, sees and knows everything about you already — you just need to take that one step toward Him to ask for His forgiveness and to seek His continual guidance from that point forward.

Christians celebrated the birth of the Savior just days ago, but it doesn’t stop there. Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving, but the recipient must be willing to receive what He brings to them: forgiveness and a reordering of their lives.

As this year ends, will you seek a new beginning for your life?

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For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it an establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (NKJV)

One of my favorite scriptures are these two verses which are found in the Book of Isaiah. Clearly, they point to the coming Messiah centuries before the prophecy of His birth was fulfilled.

Today is Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas Day, the time of the year when Christians celebrate the first advent of the Messiah. Yes, Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th, but that doesn’t matter — He was God veiled in the flesh who grew up, preached freedom to the captives, and made a way for mankind to overcome sin and death.

The first advent, as beautiful of a celebration it is, pales in comparison to what is coming — Jesus’ second advent and the ushering in of His kingdom forevermore.

The nations may rage against the truth, but the truth shall prevail. Understanding that the Babe lying in a manger was the Messiah is one thing, allowing Him to take hold of your heart is something altogether different.

Have you given to Jesus the only gift He wants from you this Christmas season? Give to Him your heart and truly understand what Christmas is really all about!

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“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” — NASB

The Book of Esther is unique as well as profound in two ways: it is the only book in the Bible where the name of God isn’t mentioned and it features the life of a reluctant heroine, a young Jewish woman by the name of Esther.

Some have argued that not mentioning God is proof that this book does not belong in the Bible. Although the omission of any direct mention of God is curious at first, I believe God wanted to show us that even the least noteworthy people can be used in a mighty way and He will be glorified through our actions. Sometimes we put too much reliance on our words when our actions speak volumes. In other words, God’s name can be glorified by what we do more than by what we say.

What was going through Esther’s head during this time? I can imagine plenty — her people, Israel, were removed from their land and living under the authority of a godless empire. She was a young, Jewish woman married off to the leader of this empire too. Her godly cousin Mordecai was her mentor and her only link to the outside world — the news he was bringing to Esther was terrifying!

Even though she may have been reluctant, Mordecai encouraged Esther to use her access to her husband, the king, to save her people. The risk was great — if he didn’t want to see her, she could have been put to death. On the other hand, if she didn’t intercede, God would have raised up deliverance in another way, but Esther and her family would perish in the process. Talk about pressure!

The Book of Esther is a message to God’s people to use their access to influential people to help bring about change including rescuing those in distress. You may feel reluctant responding in the way He has shown you, but your obedience will pay off. If you do not take advantage of the access given to you, then God will bring along someone who will and you’ll lose your reward.

Unlike Esther, your life may not be on the line, but your effectiveness as a Christian in an important situation certainly is.

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