Sonshine's Journal

Today our elders have coined this phrase each year as it draws to a close. We are to come prepared to share thoughts of gratitude to share with others. If this was your church’s program for this last Sunday in 2025, what would be your gratitude thoughts? 

It is humbling to know that the blessings we have had this year is because   “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.”[ 2Tim 3:16] This echoes what the Apostle John wrote in Revelation 1: “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written init, because the time is 

The time is near for His return. To prepare are you reading, hearing and obeying this precious gift from God so you are equipped to present the gospel message in 2026?

We hear a lot about joy at this time of year. There are carols and songs that speak of joy but do any of them speak of joy that is everlasting? If you could write a song would you include that topic? It seems as if the Apostle John wanted the “lady” of the church and her followers to reiterate that joy that is everlasting. In addition, his joy comes from knowing the followers were walking in the truth.  Listen to what John wrote: “I rejoiced greatly because I have found some of your children living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded us.”  As you read these words do they resonate with you? Is this true of you? 

One of the Christmas hymns is “Joy to the World” and that is our prayer today for the world. Also, there is “ Joyful, joyful, we adore You, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You, Op’ning to the sun above…” Are you adoring God for who He is?  

Take time today to sing these precious hymns to encourage your heart and encourage John who rejoiced greatly because you are walking in the truth. 

Throughout the centuries we have heard this refrain: God is light and in Him there is no darkness. If we say we have sin we are confessing with God about that truth, but if we say we have no sin, we are deceived. 

How can this be? 

It can be because the evil one has blinded the mind so that we cannot see the true image of Christ, the Savior of the world. The truth is this: we are sinners by nature and are in need of the Light of the Son to illumine us and reveal to us that truth. From there, we need to confess that truth and allow Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness so we can be heirs with Him for all eternity. 

Has the true Light permeated your darkness and thus cleansed you from your sin? Today, allow that Light of the Son of God to penetrate your mind and darkness so you can be saved. 

It is interesting that the reading for today begins in this way: From Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James,to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. May mercy, peace, andlove be lavished on you! 

We have spent weeks preparing for Christmas and here Jude reminds us the greatest gift is God’s love to us. Jude reminds us that we are wrapped in His love waiting for Him to return to be unwrapped before the Father on the birthday of His Son whom He sent as a propitiation for us. 

Merry Christmas! You are loved. You are wrapped in His love waiting for His return. 

Paul’s disciple, Timothy needed encouragement. We gather that by the words of Paul telling him that he remembered Timothy’s tears, and how much he longed to see him so that he may be filled with joy. In addition, Paul encouraged Timothy to recall the sincere faith of his grandmother Lois and his Mother Eunice which would give him that joy. That in itself is a remarkable message for all of us to take to heart. 

Do you long to see family members this season? Do you recall not just their faith but their sincere faith?  Or like many of us, do you have family members that do not have that blessing of the sincere faith in others such as a grandmother or a mother? Therefore, it is vital that we seek to bring them to the Lord just as Paul brought Timothy to the Lord and then discipled him. 

Who is on your prayer list for 2026? Do you have family members that are not believers? How can we join you in praying for them? 

Chapter 11 of this book is life changing for us who are now alive. It is often called the Hall of Faith which is an apt description. The unknown author of this book lists for us those whose lives are remembered for their faithfulness. After listing the many, it seems as if he could write no more and so just lists the many names.  He did not tell of their walk of faithfulness contrasted with the inhumanness of men who sought to quash their lives and their testimony. How strong these were and the question then is asked of us, how strong are we in the middle of such treatment?  How strong is our faith? 

Today as we stop and recall these, may we be encouraged by the faith of those whose lives stand apart from all mankind. How strong is your faith? Will you be remembered for your faith or some other less memorable feat?  

Christmas is a time we set aside to give gifts to those we love, but the perfect gift is given to us by Christ Himself. What can you offer the perfect High Priest? What gift is so precious that nothing can replace it? Only Christ is the perfect High Priest. 

While the earthly Levitical priests offered blood in the Most Holy Place year after year until they passed this onto the next man to take his place, Christ did this once for all. He is the perfect High Priest for He offered not the blood of bulls and lambs but His own blood that he shed for us on that cruel cross. Why was this needed?   According to the Law that God gave, all things must be purified by blood and this Christ did for us. Thus, we who now accept Him as our perfect High Priest, are cleansed by His blood. Further, now Christ, the perfect High Priest stands before the Father to cleanse us from our imperfectness and our sin filled lives. 

This is a price that cannot be paid in full by us who are sinners but only by the perfect blood of the Lamb who was slain. He is our perfect High Priest and our forever Christmas gift from the Father to us by His Son. 

Peter was a fisherman that Christ called and transformed to be the leader of the disciples and ultimately the church body. Using his authoritative voice, he writes to lift up and encourage believers wherever they are. He knows about the persecution by the Romans and others as he has himself experienced such. Peter is speaking to us today and asking this question: How then shall we live in a world that hates Christ and seeks to destroy the faith of those who believe? 

First Peter begins and then repeats over and over synonyms to encourage believers around the then known world. He reminds them that they are chosen, they are redeemed, they are protected and purified from sin to live a holy life. None of this is imaginary but real and as they walk and serve amongst their fellow man, they are to live holy lives to show the power of the blood of Jesus Christ to transform. 

Have you been transformed? Are you living a holy life in a world that denies Christ and His church?  

Our country is known for its constant moving from place to place,unlike our forefathers who staked a claim and lived there until their passing. Stop and think, how many times have you moved from place to place? What was the reason? Looking back, we have moved at least 7 times! Whoa! That is a lot of packing and organizing etc. Sometimes it went well and other times it was organized chaos! Timothy was faced with a decision, to stay or move. Paul encouraged him to stay put there in Ephesus and even gave him the reason. “As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings.” In a nutshell, Paul was not there but Timothy, his trusted disciple was and Paul wanted him to carry on the ministry amidst controversies and other problems. 

When faced with the choice to stay or move, what is the reason behind your decision? 

Imagine this: Paul awakens as you do and immediately he begins his prayer time praying for the believers in Philippi. What is his first thought? “I thank my God every time I remember you.  I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you because of your participation in the gospel…”  What is the focus of your prayer time? Does it begin with thoughts of those who serve in the gospel ministry or just personal thoughts? Paul sets the standard for all of us. 

Today as you begin your prayer in your private and quiet time before the Lord, praise God for His saving grace to you and others. Praise God for other’s participation in the work of the gospel. Praise God for their steadfastness in service. Make a list of those whose lives are a testimony to Jesus. 

What’s on your prayer list for today?