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Jeremiah 9:23-24

Instead, let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows that I am the Lord, who shows mercy, judgment, and righteousness on earth, for in these is My will,” says the Lord. “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, “that I will visit upon all the circumcised their uncircumcision.

Personal Challenge

In the verse preceding these, we are told not to boast in our wisdom, riches, or strength, but to boast in the Lord. These things are temporal and therefore will not last through eternity. However, our Lord is forever. It is so easy to believe that we are able to succeed all the way into the eternal kingdom of God by our own merits and actions, however, this is not the case. We may be very successful here in this earthly life, but all of this can be lost in a moment. This does not mean that God wants us to cast aside the gifts, talents, and desires that He has given us to succeed in this life. It means that we must always give credit to Him for we can truly accomplish nothing without Him providing for us. He is the only One that shows us true mercy, judgment, and righteousness. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have merely on me, the sinner!

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Encouraging Words

What a glorious promise this is from our God. We were promised by Jesus to have the Holy Spirit sent to us and to dwell within us. Here we are told by Paul that the fruit that the Holy Spirit will bring into our lives is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This fruit is not just ours to keep for ourselves to enjoy, but fruit to share with those around us by treating them with love, bringing joy into their lives, being at peace with all, showing patience and longsuffering to everyone, being kind to all, bringing good into other’s lives, being faithful and dependable, being gentle with others, and being self-controlled in all situations. This is the glorious fruit that we have both been given and called to give to others. Glory be to God!

Isaiah 66:1-2

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is the footstool of My feet. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or what kind is the place of My rest? For My hand made all these things, and all these things are Mine,” says the Lord; “and upon whom will I show respect, but to the humble and the peaceful and to him who trembles at My words.

Personal Challenge

Who are we, as God’s creation, to think that we can outdo God. We go through life believing that we can fit God into our way of thinking or behaving, just as our ancestors in Israel believed that they could build the perfect temple to contain God. God is so far beyond what any of us are, or ever could be. His ways are beyond our ways and even anything that we could conjure up. Granted, we so often do these things out of our love for God, but this is not what He desires from us. He does not want grandiose things from our hands for everything we could do or offer are already His. What He wants from us is a humble heart, a peaceful disposition towards those around us, and a love and respect for Him. This is the foundation for any house that we could build for Him. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Galatians 5:16

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Personal Challenge

What is the flesh that we must deal with? The flesh that Paul is referring to is not just our physical body, but more importantly our desires, passions, and will. These aspects of our self, our flesh, are what we are supposed to be putting to death on the cross of Christ. By doing this we can begin to walk and live in the Spirit. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Isaiah 61:1-4

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because of which He anointed Me. He sent Me to proclaim good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, the day of recompense, and to comfort all who mourn; to give those who mourn in Zion glory instead of ashes, the oil of gladness to those who mourn; the garment of glory instead of a spirit of indifference. They shall be called generations of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for glory. They shall build the ancient deserts, raise up those formerly abandoned, and renew the desert cities that laid waste for generations.”

Encouraging Woods

What a glorious passage this is for this time of the year. Granted, our focus of the Christmas celebration is the birth of our Lord as a precious child in a lowly manger, but this passage foretells why this baby was born into this world. These words were so important to that grown up and mature baby, Jesus, to launch His ministry to His people. He was here to proclaim the good news and to set us all free, free from the bondage of death and sin. Jesus is our Lord. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus gave His all so that might be raised up from ashes and be adopted into His glorious family. Glory be to God. Merry Christmas and Happy Eternal Life!

Galatians 5:13

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Personal Challenge

What did Jesus liberate us from when He became incarnate, lived a sinless life, suffered on the cross to his death, and was resurrected on the third day? He liberated us from the bondage of death that was imposed upon us by sin, therefore also liberating us from sin. The work of Jesus is not only about the forgiveness of our sins, but it is also much bigger than that. Through Jesus, we can say, “No!” to sin and temptation in our lives. Our human, temporal part of our being will continue to draw us towards the things of the flesh which will usually lead to sin, but our spiritual part, that which has been renewed and reborn in Christ will always draw us to God and His ways. We must choose which part of our being we want to listen to and obey. It takes time and effort to grow the ability to always choose the spiritual path, but it is possible. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Isaiah 60:1-2

“Shine, shine, O Jerusalem, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Behold, darkness and gloom shall cover the earth upon the nations, but the Lord will shine on you; and His glory shall be seen upon you.”

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Personal Challenge

So, what yoke of bondage have we been set free from? Paul was telling the Galatians, and us as well, that Jesus has set us free from the law that was given to the Israelites by Moses. That law was given to the Israelites to point them to Christ, the Messiah, who would fulfill the law and usher in a new covenant of grace. Does this mean that we abandon the teachings and guidance of the law, such as the ten commandments. No. It means that by submitting our lives to Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law, we will live our lives in a way that glorifies Him in ways that exceed what the law was there to accomplish. Jesus has given us freedom to live godly and righteous lives, free from sin and free to be like Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!