December 26, 2019
As we see the decorations and lights inside and outside many homes and places of commerce at Christmas, we are reminded that Jesus said that He is the light of the world. I received an email from a friend that contained the following story:
“D. L. Moody told the story of a man who was crossing the Atlantic by ship. He was terribly sick and confined to his cabin. One night he heard the cry ‘Man overboard!’ He felt that there was nothing he could do to help, but at second thought, he said to himself, ‘I guess I can at least put my lantern in the porthole.’ He struggled to his feet and hung the light so it shined out into the darkness.
The next day he learned that the person who was rescued said, ‘I was going down in the dark night for the last time, when someone put a light in a porthole. As it shone on my hand, a sailor in a lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in.’”
The author of the devotional that contained this story writes: “All of us have weaknesses — and times of weakness. The fact of the matter is, though, that weak or not, we need to muster up the strength to put our lights in our portholes for the sake of the dying and the lost among us. It’s so tempting to sulk in our weaknesses, and stay in our beds — but God expects more of us. He has given us the strength to do all things — even move mountains! There are so many people around us sinking in despair. But God has chosen us to reach out and light up their lives!”
While “Joy to the World” is one of the most popular Christmas carols, this time of year is very challenging for many. As believers, we need to help others see that Christ is the reason for the season and He alone offers forgiveness of sins and true joy.
Karen and I would like to thank all of our friends who pray for us and support us in the ministry to which He called us many years ago. A year ago, friends from our home church helped us relocate the radio follow-up office to a more central location in Châteauguay. This year, Karen has had many opportunities to study God’s Word with several women and these times have been filled with laughter and reflection. We look forward to all that the Lord will do in the year ahead!
Scripture for the weekend: “‘I love Thee, O Lord, my strength.’ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2 (NASB)
Thought for the weekend: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” – Dorothy Bernard (from “A Story Is Told” by Discovery House Publishers)