Category Archives: Seasonal – Holidays

Holidays and different seasonal events provide opportunities for the church to minister to unique needs and can be a platform for outreach and special teaching.

How Do Your Co-Workers View You?

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Daniel Thrown into Lion's Den Due to Jealousy of Co-workers
God miraculously delivered Daniel from the lions’ den, but why did they throw him in with the lions? True, Daniel continued to pray to God after the king’s decree forbidding everyone from praying to any god or human except the king for thirty days. The real reason, however, goes back further to what led to the king’s decree — to what was taking place in Daniel’s “workplace” with his co-workers.

How Daniel’s Co-Workers Viewed Him

Excelling in his job, Daniel received recognition, which made his co-workers jealous. To sabotage his success they wanted to bring an accusation against him “but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him” (Dan. 6:1-4).

Notice that they found “NO” negligence or corruption in him. That undoubtedly meant he didn’t justify even little breaks in integrity saying,

“It doesn’t hurt anything.”
“Nobody will notice.”
“Everybody’s doing it.”

Daniel’s co-workers concluded, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God” (Dan. 6:5). Since his character flowed from Daniel’s walk with God, his co-workers would have to manipulate the king into making a decree they knew Daniel wouldn’t keep because of his unwavering devotion to his God.

What Kind of Testimony Do You Have in the Workplace?

Think about how your co-workers view you. Would they characterize you similar to Daniel (Dan. 6:4)?

Faithful?

Can people depend on you do do your job and do it well? Do the words trustworthy, consistent, and dependable describe you in the workplace?

No Negligence?

Do you avoid making mistakes due to carelessness? Are you careful not to cut corners or gloss over errors but rather aim for excellence? Do the words conscientious, attentive, and careful describe you in the workplace?

No Corruption?

Do you maintain moral integrity, not even getting caught up in little white lies? Do the words honest and good describe you in the workplace?

Result of Such a Testimony

We probably won’t get thrown into a lions’ den because of jealous co-workers. We might, however, get ridiculed, even fired if we fail to comply with an immoral demand. Are you willing to suffer for righteousness’ sake? God may not “shut the mouths of the lions” (Dan. 6:22) as He did with Daniel. Sometimes He allows suffering to bring about a greater purpose, though we may not see it at the time

The approval of God way supersedes the approval of other people, so “even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed” (1 Pet. 3:14). Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matt. 5:10-12)

More on the Workplace

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4 Biblical Truths about Freedom

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True Freedom Where the Spirit Is
Freedom. True freedom. We can’t use personal experience to fully describe it. Free countries celebrate their independence, but not everyone, however, experiences physical freedom. To truly understand what freedom means, we must look beyond ourselves to a higher standard. God’s Word describes true freedom so take time to reflect on biblical truths and consider how it should affect you no matter what your physical situation might be.

What We Learn About Freedom in God’s Word

We find the following truths about freedom in Scripture. Click on the link(s) under each point for more about that truth.

  1. True freedom goes beyond physical freedom.

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Rom. 6:22)

  1. Everyone can be free in the way that matters the most.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (Jn. 8:32)

  1. Jesus is the source of true freedom.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (Jn. 8:36)
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood … (Rev. 1:5)

  1. Being free doesn’t mean we live however we want.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. (1 Pet. 2:16)

How These Biblical Truths Should Affect Us

Whether celebrating your country’s freedom or simply reflecting on what it means to be free, remember the above truths. When you do, you should find yourself …

contented in whatever your situation.

clinging to what matters most.

celebrating the One who died to make true freedom possible.

considering how to express that freedom in ways that align with God’s reason for setting us free.

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A New Year: New Opportunities to Live Out New Life in Christ

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We can get caught up in regrets over what we didn’t accomplish in the last year, mistakes we made, or relationships we failed to nurture. Let’s instead use the New Year as a time to reflect on all we have new in Christ Jesus. Then let’s consider how to live out that newness in the New Year, “making the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5).

First Reflect on the New Life We Have in Christ

God encourages us to take off the old and put on the new (Eph. 4:22-32; Col. 3:1-17). Our old way is “corrupted by its deceitful desires” but our new life in Christ is “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” which affects even the “attitude of our minds” (Eph. 4:22-24). What kind of difference will it make going forward if we truly live in the newness of life Jesus came to give us? Begin by reflecting on that new life.

Holiday Reflections for the New Year
Check out the Holiday Reflections Discipleship Guides which includes 14 different holidays. It looks at what we have new in Christ with Scripture to back it up and questions to reflect on how it should affect us going into a new year.

Also read: What We Have New in Christ Jesus

New Life in Christ for New Opportunities in the New Year

Let’s be real: Living in accordance with our new life in Christ won’t change everything around us. But it will change us and enable us to use whatever comes our ways as opportunities to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16).

Our circumstances might not change, but our perspective toward life will change as we see through new eyes. — We have faith.

The world might seem to keep getting worse, but our reactions toward it will change as we understand with a new mind. — We have hope.

People around us might not change, but our attitude toward them will change as we respond with a new heart. — We have love.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:12-13)

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Resolutions or Prayer for the New Year?

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People often make resolutions at the end of a year for the upcoming new year. God does want us to examine our lives (Ps. 139:23). He also wants us to grow (2 Pet. 3:18) and become more effective and productive (2 Pet. 1:3-8). We must ask, however, if resolutions are the way to seek improvement. What about prayer?

The Path to Growth and Effectiveness In the New Year Takes Prayer

For followers of Jesus Christ, how we get somewhere matters. New Year resolutions tend to fall short.

1) Resolutions tend to grow out of self-assessment rather than asking God to examine our lives. (Ps. 139:23-24; Prov. 3:5-6)

2) We tend to pursue resolutions with self-determination and self-effort rather than trusting God to work in and through us. (Jn. 15:5; Phil. 4:13)

Ask God to Search Your Heart to Reveal Where Change is Needed

As you look back over the past year, you might pray similar to the psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Ps. 139:23) Then ask Him to show you what He might want you to do differently in the upcoming year. — “See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:24)

Pray for the New Year, Search me, O God - Psalm 139

You might ask questions like the following:

  • How has my life affected people in my sphere of influence? Did I bless and build up people or criticize and tear them down?
  • What did I use to guide me in serving and making everyday decisions? Did I look to God and His Word for direction or lean on my own understanding or the ways of the world?
  • How did I deal with problems, conflicts, or mistakes made by others or myself? Did I apply grace and truth or did I merely react?
  • What have I done to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and in ministry effectiveness? Did I grab hold of the resources and growth opportunities God put before me rather than merely coast through life?

Perhaps the answers to the above questions weren’t as you’d hoped, or at least not consistently so. Good news: You have a new year ahead of you to trust God to help you change those answers. Of course, God could take you home to be with Him or Jesus could come first. While those aren’t bad options, why not ask Him to work in and through you in the meantime, so your life makes a difference now?

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Christmas Bible Verses Still Affect You?

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The well-known Bible verses used to tell the Christmas story can become so familiar that we stop thinking about how Jesus’ coming affects us. Take some time to reflect on these verses anew.

Prophetic Verses about Jesus’ Coming

Reflect: How does it affect you to know that Jesus was God’s plan of salvation long before He ever arrived on this earth?
Christmas Bible Verses about Immanuel

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isa. 7:14)

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (Micah 5:2)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isa. 9:6-7)

Also read: Isa. 11:1; 40:1-11

Biblical Account of Mary & Joseph Learning of Jesus’ Conception

Reflect: How does their acceptance of God’s plan move you in following His will for your life?

… God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. … You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. … “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” … “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Lk. 1:26-38)

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. … an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” … When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. … (Matt. 1:18-25)

Biblical Account of Jesus’ Birth

Reflect: What will you do to make sure you have room in your heart for Jesus this holiday season?

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken … So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem … While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Lk. 2:1-7)

Bible Verses about the Shepherds

Reflect: Once Christmas comes and goes, will you still speak of Jesus with others? … will you continue to praise God for sending Jesus?

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby … An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them … But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. … So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child … The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Lk. 2:8-20)

Scripture about the Wisemen

Reflect: As you look forward to Jesus’ second coming, what will you have to offer Him?

Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” … they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. … On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts … (Matt. 2:1-12)

To reflect on other realities about God and His ways in light of Christmas, check out the Holiday Reflections Discipleship Guides resource which includes a guide for Christmas and thirteen other holidays.

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Jesus’ Resurrection is More Than an Easter Phenomenon

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Jesus' Resurrection is More than an Easter Phenomenon
At Easter we celebrate the death of Jesus who died on the cross to take the punishment our sin deserves. Jesus, however, didn’t remain in the grave. On the third day He arose from the dead. His resurrection is so much more than an Easter phenomenon. It’s an everyday reality that affects the way we live and serve.

7 Ways Jesus’ Resurrection from the Dead Affects Us Today

Consider all the resurrection provides and think about how that affects us now. Rejoice in these truths:

1) The resurrection gives proof that Jesus truly is the Son of God.

regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 1:3-4)

… he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures … (1 Cor. 15:4)

2) Because of His resurrections we’re justified before God and in a position of sonship to receive an inheritance waiting for us in heaven.

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Rom. 4:25)

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. (1 Pet. 1:3-4)

3) Due to Jesus having been raised, we will one day stand in the presence of God.

… we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. (2 Cor. 4:14)

4) Our perspective on life changes because we can see from Jesus’ viewpoint in the heavenly realm.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus … (Eph. 2:6)

5) Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we have purpose so living for Him now isn’t futile.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. – And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Cor. 15:14, 17)

6) We can live in newness of life now because the power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us now.

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.(Rom. 6:6-7)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms … (Eph. 1:18-20)

7) Because of the resurrection, we have a proclamation of Good News worth sharing.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. … And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Cor. 15:14-17)

Is it any wonder the Apostle Paul wanted to “know Christ and the power of his resurrection” (Phil. 3:10)? What about you?

Church Leaders, Also Read: God’s Power for the Church – The Resurrection

For Help Teaching about the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, Go To: Lessons for Easter – A Real Act of Love

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