FEAR MAKES US UNPRODUCTIVE
Luke 19:20-26
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
Fear has the power to keep one in bondage. It cripples one’s ideas and makes every obstacle look so big. The third servant was full of fear. He was scared of failure so he never made any attempt. He confessed; “To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly” (Luke 19:21 MSG). This made him hide his one pound instead of making an effort. This was his biggest mistake. His master was not pleased and gave his one pound to the profitable servant.
Is the fear of the unprofitable servant reflected in your life? Are you rejecting positions in the church because you think you are not perfect and you are afraid of making mistakes? Some persons have chosen not to serve God because they believe God has high standards and is hard to please. Some persons have chosen the ‘safe option’ of staying unsaved. This is a sad way to live. The fear of failure has kept many dreams unfulfilled. It is time to take risks for God’s kingdom. Are you living in fear? Has fear made you unable to publish that book, sing, and speak in public? Now is the time to break out of that bondage. Be like the servants that made a profit in the hostile city. God’s grace will help you live above sin if that is your reason for being unsaved. Jesus is calling you out of fear!
Prayer
Oh Lord, by the power in the name of Jesus, I break out of every hold of fear in my life. Amen.
SACRIFICIAL OBEDIENCE
Luke 19:28-37
So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22
Obedience is dutiful and submissive compliance. Sacrificial obedience is dutifully complying with God’s instructions even when it is not convenient. Jesus instructed His disciples to go into the village and get a colt. He told them to tell the owner that “the Master has need of it.” This instruction does not make sense but they obeyed. The disciples were completely sold out to obeying Jesus without minding if they looked foolish before the owners. Their obedience produced results. The owners did not hold back the colt.
As Christians, we must be willing and ready to obey Jesus at all times. The Master’s need was greater than the owner’s title to the colt. Jesus needs you. He needs you to be set apart for His special use just like the colt. The colt was consecrated to carry Jesus triumphantly. Sacrificial obedience leads to the exaltation of Jesus in your life. People saw Jesus, not the colt, although the colt enjoyed the royal treatment. What is God requesting you to do? What do you own that God needs? Will you let Jesus ride on you? It is time to yield to the use of the Master. As the year 2024 comes to a close, reflect on your life to see if you have completely obeyed the Master. What do you have to do differently so you will be more yielded to Him and His kingdom in the new year?
Prayer
Lord help me to yield to You today and always. Thank you for Your faithfulness that kept me to see the end of 2024.
JESUS; THE CONSTANT IN A CHANGING WORLD
John 1:1-9
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Jesus is not just a person from history, but He is the Creator of everything. He is the source of all life. As believers, we trust that Jesus is both God and human, connecting us to God. John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus existed before everything else and played a key role in creation. Knowing this should make our faith stronger and our worship deeper. Our faith is built on the unchanging Jesus who is the Eternal Word. Even though the world changes and life can be unpredictable, Jesus stays the same.
Today, reflect on how Jesus has always been there and how this can strengthen your faith. Reflect on His constant nature and how He has been a part of your life to bring healing, deliverance, provision and transformation to all areas of your life. This thought can bring you comfort and reassurance that He is in control of your past, present, and future. Embrace this truth and let it change your perspective, knowing that the Creator of the universe loves you deeply and has a perfect plan for your life. Today, meditate on the eternal nature of Jesus and let it strengthen your faith. Reflect on how His unchanging nature provides comfort and assurance, and let this truth transform your perspective. As you navigate 2025, you can boldly sing, “On Christ the solid Rock I stand.” Stand strong, with your head held high because the unchanging Jesus is for you, with you, and in you. Have a blessed New Year!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the unchanging rock in our lives. Help us trust in Your eternal nature, finding comfort and strength in Your presence. Amen.
THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
John 1:24-34
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
John the Baptist’s announcement of Jesus as the Lamb of God highlights that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. In the Old Testament, lambs were sacrificed to make up for people’s sins. Jesus, as the perfect Lamb, came to offer Himself once and for all to take away the sin of the world. This statement encourages us to see Jesus not just as a teacher or prophet but as the Savior who has made us right with God through His sacrifice.
When we reflect on this, we can understand the depth of God’s love and the seriousness of sin. Jesus took on our sins, offering us forgiveness and a new life. Today, as you think about this verse, let your heart be filled with gratitude. Thank Jesus for His sacrificial love and embrace the freedom and cleansing His blood provides. Know that His sacrifice blots out all your sins. Live in the light of this truth, and share the good news of His sacrifice with others. Let your understanding of Jesus as the Lamb of God inspire you to live a life of worship, gratitude, and obedience, knowing that He has done everything necessary for your salvation.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. May I live in light of Your love and grace every day. Amen.
A WITNESS OF THE LIGHT
John 1:6-13
This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. John 1:7
John the Baptist came to show the Light of Jesus, pointing the people to Jesus. He knew all he had to do was to prepare the way for the Lord. In a dark world, John’s message was vital. We are also called to be witnesses of the Light, sharing the hope and truth of Jesus with those around us. This requires an understanding of the person of Jesus because we are not the source of light, we reflect the light. Our lives should show the love, grace, and truth of Jesus, helping others believe in Him. The example of John teaches us the importance of knowing our identity and purpose in Christ. He knew that his mission was not to draw attention to himself but to direct others to the Saviour.
Jesus expects us to be witnesses and to reflect Him in our daily lives. Let our actions and words reflect the light of Christ. Be deliberate in seizing opportunities to turn unsaved men and women to God, remembering that through your witness, others might come to believe in Him who is the true Light. Also, live a life that honours God and be a beacon of hope, guiding others to the truth and love found in Jesus.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father help me to be a witness of Your light. Amen
INVITING OTHERS
John 1:43-51
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
Philip’s invitation to Nathanael, “Come and see,” captures the exact heart of our sharing of faith: an invitation to others to experience Jesus for themselves. When Nathanael asked questions about Jesus, Philip did not argue or try to convince him with detailed explanations. He simply invited Nathanael to meet Jesus in person. This teaches us that the best way to share our faith often is to invite sinners to Jesus. We may face doubts, but like Philip, we can encourage others to see Jesus for themselves. By inviting them to church, Bible study, or personal conversation, we provide opportunities for them to experience the presence of Jesus. This allows the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts.
Think about the people in your life who need to encounter Jesus. Invite them to “come and see” instead of worrying about getting all the answers. Trust that God will reveal Himself to them as they experience His love and truth. Seize every opportunity to invite others to come and know Jesus, and be ready to support them as they begin their journey of faith. Think about those in your life who need this invitation today. Don’t feel pressured to explain everything. Simply invite them to experience Jesus and trust God to work in their hearts. This simple invitation can make a big difference.
Prayer:
Dear Father, help me to be a channel through which souls come to You for eternal life. Amen.
JESUS TURNS WATER INTO WINE
John 2:1-9
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom. John 2:9
Jesus performs His first recorded miracle at a wedding in Cana. When the wine ran out, His mother told the servants to do whatever Jesus instructed them. Jesus asks them to fill six stone jars with water, and then He turns that water into the finest wine. This miracle reveals His divine power and marks the beginning of His public ministry. This story indicates to us that Jesus cares about our normal needs and He is capable of transforming our situation. The wedding ceremony, a joyous and social event, becomes a place where Jesus demonstrates His glory. It’s a reminder that Jesus can convey abundance and joy into our lives in ways we do not expect.
Today, consider the aspects of your life in which you need Jesus’ transformative power. Trust that He can take your regular situations and transform them for good. Pray for His intervention where you need one and trust that he can transform any situation. Just as the water became wine, Jesus can bring life to dead situations and joy in the midst of pain. Today, let Jesus into every aspect of your life, trust Him to work miracles and bring abundance and joy into your circumstances.
Prayer:
Father help me recognize Your ability to bring change and renewal into every area of my life. Strengthen my faith and open my heart to Your transformative work. Amen.
French 
English