December 2020 – Page 3 of 3 – Sonshine's Journal

December 8, 2020December 8, 2020

“Kingdom Work”

1Tim 1 We live and move in the context of a mobile society. This year alone across America, we will see more families relocating than at any other time in history. Did you ever stop to consider why people pack up and move? Some are leaving states where the pandemic has exploded, and some have lost jobs to this soaring pandemic. This influx brings problems of families relocating to places unknown to them with diverse populations.

Timothy wanted to leave Ephesus, but Paul reminded him that there were still people in Ephesus who needed his teaching. The false teachers had gathered a following, yet they did not teach the pure redemptive plan that operates by faith. What they did operate on was gathering groups and then seeking remuneration for their teaching!

They wanted to be teachers of the law but didn’t understand what they were attempting to teach!

To borrow from Esther; Timothy, you are in Ephesus “for such a time as this.” Wherever you are, may God use your skills, talents, and the true redemptive work of Christ to reach others. May we all use this month of all months to reach out and touch the lives of those walking in darkness so they may join the family of faith.

December 7, 2020December 7, 2020

Christmas & Children

Advent #7 The Nativity Tells the Story of Christ’s Birth

One of the things we can be certain of; Christmas will come and Christmas will go. A child anticipates the coming of Santa but is that what we want our children to remember? Or is that Christmas is the birthday of our Savior? It is all about Him, not Santa. Perhaps that is why the Apostle John spent so much time writing about Jesus and why he chose to author five books in the NT. Perhaps it is why he left the family business to follow Christ. Perhaps that is why when Christ said, “follow me,” he left it all behind. He never looked back but became the disciple whom Jesus loved and was the only one not martyred for his faith.

John wanted all of those who read his letters to know that his full purpose was to proclaim the truth about Christ and His life as well as challenge us to follow Him fully as well. John’s message was that Jesus was the Word with God, life eternal, and He is light. Perhaps that is why we celebrate Christmas with lights.

As the angels rejoiced, so should we because Jesus was and is faithful and righteous, forgiving our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. He is our advocate with the Father. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world. And that is what Christmas is all about.

Without him, Advent has no meaning. Come to him and know of him that you may have eternal life. Take time this season to teach children the real meaning of Christmas; Christ came, lived, died, and rose again that they might know Him and be known by Him.

December 6, 2020December 6, 2020

God of Our Future

Advent Series #6:

Our world is spinning and people are wandering and wondering. They wonder about tomorrow and the next day and the next, but we who know the God of the universe do not need to wonder. For the believer the future does lie before us but we need not fear for God holds the future and He holds us in the palm of His hand: “Look, I have inscribed yourname on my palms.” [Isa 49:16] “For I know what I haveplanned for you,’ says the Lord.” I haveplans to prosper you, not to harm you. I haveplans to give youa future filled with hope.”[ Jer 29:11]

Zechariah and Mary faced a future written in eternity past. One would become a father to John the Baptist, the voice in the wilderness. One would become the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is not the author of confusion but of order. His timing is perfect and he holds the key to our future. He is the God of impossibilities. Zacharias’ future lay before him but he needed or desired confirmation. Mary’s future lay before her and she submitted willingly. When God comes with a word regarding your future how do you respond? Are you like Zacharias needing a sign or like Mary willingly submitting to whatever God has planned because you believe “The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord” [Pro 20:24]

December 5, 2020December 5, 2020

What or Who is Your Anchor?

Advent Reading #6: Psalm 34

Are you facing a season of ups and downs? Beloved, know this, you can return to the faith of the authors of the Bible and be sustained. James reminds us that if we doubt God’s goodness or His plan, we are like the sea wave, which is blown and tossed by the wind. At times like this, we all need a refresher course in the hymns written in the past. Ruth Caye Jones faced challenging times during WWII, and as she stood in her kitchen, she penned these words: “In times like this, you need a Savior.”In times like these, you need an anchor, Be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One.”

David’s anchor was the Lord and his words from Ps 34 remind us to seek God’s face. “I sought the Lord, and when I sought him, he answered and delivered me from all my fears.” This one thing we can know for certain: The Lord hears the cries of the godly. He is near to the brokenhearted; He hears, He saves, He is near. [Ps 34:17 paraphrase] Isaiah also knew, “You keep completely safe the people who maintain their faith…for they trust in you.” [Is 26:3]

The world would have us look everywhere but to the Lord. Have you tried other ways? Sit with a hymnal and sing or read the words to calm your soul.

December 3, 2020December 3, 2020

“God’s Christmas Gift”

Advent Series #5 Luke & Revelation

Many echo the sentiment that they would believe if only they could see. They want facts before their faith. Yet Jesus said to Thomas: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.” [John 20:29] Thus, with those thoughts in mind, the Apostle John and Dr. Luke reveal God’s inspired word “so that you may know for certain” that which was spoken by the prophets is true and fulfilled just as God said. We recall from Revelation: “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it.” [Rev 1:3]

God’s words are true and will be fulfilled just as He said it regardless of our belief. But so that we may believe with certainty that He who is true and faithful and His “promises are “Yes” in him;….[ 2Co 1:20] He has chosen to give us an account of His plan that we may say with Thomas: “My Lord and my God.” [Jn 20:29]

And what is it that we are to believe? “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” [John 20:31] May we all know this truth this Christmas season; Jesus Christ is our greatest gift.

December 2, 2020December 2, 2020

“Are you enrolled in God’s Ph.D. program?”

Advent Series #3 No matter what year you are, know this fact: God has chosen you from eternity past to be His instrument. He chose you in eternity past and aims to not only change your pathway but also to enroll you in the “Ph.D. –Proclaiming Heaven Degree” program.” Your courses are titled:

Selected by the Father Eph 1:4-6

Saved by the Son Eph 1:7-11

Sealed by the Spirit Eph 1:12-14

You must participate in all three courses to become His workman and tell the world about His saving grace. Just as all programs begin at the beginning, so too, God has enrolled you in His program. Your teachers are the Word/Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit so you may know Him and be known by Him. Along the way, you may encounter the works of the devil to test your faith. It is then that you can be assured that the Son walks with you and talks with you just as He has done for centuries for others. He reveals that you are His chosen instrument to carry His Name to the farthest reaches of the earth with the gospel message.

The Advent season reminds us of Christ, your tutor until you walk across that stage and receive your diploma. Don’t give up! You have just begun! Which course are you enrolled in today?

December 1, 2020December 1, 2020

The Gospel Message

Advent Series #2: 1John 1-2

The Apostle John authored five books in the NT. John, along with his brother James fished the Sea of Galilee as part of the family business. Yet, when Christ said, “follow me,” he left it all behind. He never looked back but became the disciple whom Jesus loved and was the only one not martyred for his faith.

John began his first book with the words: “in the beginning,” and his full purpose was to proclaim the truth about Christ and His life as well as challenge us to follow Him fully. John’s message was that Jesus was the Word with God, life eternal, and He is light.

Have you met Him? Without him, Advent has no meaning. Come to him and know of him that you may have eternal life.

December 1, 2020December 1, 2020

“The Gift of Compassion.”

Advent Series #2 1John 3 to 5 Compassion is the trait of sharing and caring for others in their time of need. The Apostle John lived his last years in Ephesus, but his heart is seen for the prisoners he ate, slept, and worked with on the Isle of Patmos. He never mentions that time other than in Revelation, but we can see his heart in this letter.

First, he recalls some have lost loved ones to death, and he mourns with them. He reminds them that if they were believers, they have entered eternity coming face to face with Christ. Don Wyrtzen wrote a hymn that shares this sentiment:

“But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand and finding it God’s! Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial! Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!”

The Apostle John wants us to keep the gospel message alive, and we do it as we “love other Christians.” After years of brutality as a prisoner himself, John could have been bitter. Instead, he comes alongside us to ask: how can you say that the love of God resides in you if you lack compassion for those in need?

It may be Advent, but the message is the same all year round: Christ is the gift God has given to us, and we are to share that gift with others.